Tygerberg Hospital: a decade of delays

IT HAS been 16 years since the Western Cape provincial cabinet decided to rebuild Tygerberg Hospital, but the site remains untouched. The project, first announced in 2009, is still stuck in paperwork and planning, with the health department only now moving into the procurement stage. Frustrated residents and critics say it's a clear sign of failure to deliver.

- TRACY-LYNN RUITERS

Dwayne Evans, spokesperson for the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, confirmed this week that the project has not yet reached the construction phase.

"The Tygerberg Public Private Partnership (PPP) has progressed through feasibility and Treasury approval and is currently preparing its PPP tender documentation for the procurement stage.

"This stage involves refining the service brief and market-engaging potential partners; it does not involve construction on site yet," he said.

Although the department said the plan for a new hospital is still going ahead, it admits the process has been delayed by design changes and extra technical work. The new Tygerberg Central Hospital is meant to have 893 beds and provide specialised services. It will be supported by a 593-bed Belhar Regional Hospital, which will handle less complex care.