Specialised Mother and Child Academic Hospital underway in FS
By Katleho Morapela
The message, from a dream to a
reality, echoed throughout the launch of the Mother and Child Academic
Hospital. From left to right: Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the UFS, Rolene
Strauss, Miss World 2014 and Patron of the Mother and Child Academic Hospital,
Prof André Venter, Head of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, and
Dr Riaan Els, CEO of the Fuchs Foundation South Africa. PHOTO: CHARL DEVENISH
Plans for the construction of the first mother and
child academic hospital in the Free State province have officially been
approved. The hospital will form part of Universitas Academic Hospital in
Bloemfontein and will exclusively cater for mothers and children’s medical
needs. Speaking at the launch of the Free State Mother and Child Academic
Hospital, held at the University of the Free State in the past months, Head of
the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Prof. André Venter, announced
that the hospital will be privately owned. The hospital will start off with a
bed capacity of 350. Prof. Venter said at this moment the Department of
Paediatrics is faced with infrastructural challenges and the limitation of
space. He said besides providing paediatric medical care to over 250 000
children in the Free State region and to children from other provinces such as
the Northern Cape, North West and Lesotho, the hospital will also enable
medical students to develop their expertise.
This however, brings to mind the question of
sustainability and appropriate funding model. The provincial Department of
Health is facing a lack of financial and management crisis at it is, so one
can’t help but wonder how the smooth operation of this hospital is going to be
ensured.
Venter, further announced that the hospital’s name
will remain Free State Mother and Child Academic Hospital. He said in addition
to this specialised hospital, the university is also seeking to establish a
Mother and Child Academic Trust. “We aim for the board of this project to be
independent of the University and the Provincial Department of Health, although
they are key stakeholders.” This project will serve the fundamental medical
needs of Bloemfontein residents.
Prof Jonathan Jansen, the former Vice-chancellor and Rector of the UFS, described the project as one which captures the head and the heart, as it caters most for little lives, a hub wherein great talent and potential waits to be unleashed. In support of the project, the university has offered a piece of land on the campus where the hospital will be built, thus strengthening the quality of tertiary education.
Former Miss World, Mrs Rolene Strauss, also pledged her support. She said she is honoured to be the patron of the project, one she believes will lead to healthier women, healthier children, and a healthier nation.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Fuchs Foundation, CEO Dr Riaan Els, awarded a donation of R2250000 towards the building of the hospital. However, what remains to be questioned is how much more is still needed to realise this dream, and how it will operate in conjunction with the Universitas Hospital, of which currently falls under maladministration second to Bongani Hospital.
Prof André Venter, leader of the project, hopes
that it will serve as a blueprint for other academic hospitals in the country,
and mark the beginning of an era of highly specialised medical care for humanity’s
most precious people.
Katleho Morapela
Katlehomorapela@gmail.com
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