The construction of Brits hospital has reached 96% towards completion and will be ready for use soon.Plans for staff accommodation have also been finalised, North West Premier Thandi Modise has declared. Premier Modise said the province has made significant inroads with upgrade of infrastructure development in hospitals, Nursing colleges and health centres. “The extensions of Mmabatho and Excelsius nursing colleges are underway. The planning of Moses Kotane, Potchefstroom, Lichtenburg and Taung nursing schools are at an advanced stages” the Premier said in her State of the Province Address which marked official opening of the Provincial Legislature in Mmabatho on Friday.

Through the Hospital Revitalization Programme the province has managed to source funds for construction of 10 community health centres, Modise said.

A total of R478 million has been set aside for the construction of new psychiatric hospital in Mahikeng and the project is expected to be completed in the next 24 months.

Initially the plan was to construct a 648 beds hospital, but following extensive consultation with mental health experts and recommendations by World Health Organization a decision was reached to downsize psychiatric hospital in favour of community based psychiatric health care facilities.

“This will increase access to mental health care services and also boost chances of psychiatric patients to respond to treatment as they will be treated and cared next to home.” She highlighted

The province will still meet the target of 648 psychiatric beds. About 384 beds will be at the hospital and the remaining beds will be spread across four districts of the province.