An eight-month project to boost intensive care capacity at Netcare Greenacres Hospital in the Eastern Cape is well underway.
Reon van Rensburg, general manager of Netcare Greenacres Hospital, confirms that the expansion project, which commenced in May this year, is progressing smoothly and is expected to be completed by mid-December 2025.
“We are deeply grateful for the community’s patience and support during this time and apologise for any inconvenience during the construction. Every effort is being made to minimise the impact on hospital operations, patient care, and staff, with safety as our foremost concern. All work is conducted under rigorous safety protocols and in close collaboration with hospital teams.”
Van Rensburg explains that the current 35 adult intensive care beds and 16 high care beds, which cater to both acute medical cases and post-operative surgical patients, have been pushed to their limits. “Most days, our critical care units are running at full capacity. To ease this pressure, the hospital is adding ten extra surgical intensive care unit [ICU] beds, enabling the hospital to accommodate more theatre cases and emergency medical admissions,” he notes.
According to Van Rensburg, this expansion is not just about meeting immediate needs. “It is a strong vote of confidence in Gqeberha and will strengthen our presence and capabilities in the region. For the community, it means improved access to world-class critical healthcare services when it matters most. For our staff and the healthcare professionals who practise in the hospital, it is a commitment to maintaining excellence in patient care,” he added.
Environmental sustainability, an essential tenet of Netcare’s operations, is a primary focus of the build. “The design prioritises energy efficiency through LED lighting and the use of durable, sustainable materials that reduce future maintenance needs. Water conservation efforts include installing low-flow taps and water-efficient appliances. The building maximises natural daylight and utilises advanced ventilation systems to support infection prevention and maintain high indoor air quality. Operational sustainability is also addressed by creating spaces that enable proper separation and recycling of clinical and non-clinical waste,” notes Van Rensburg.
The modern 340-bed hospital, which marked 40 years of service to the Gqeberha community in August this year, features 14 operating theatres, a 24-hour emergency department, and advanced cardiac laboratories, with consulting specialists representing a wide range of disciplines. The hospital, which rivals any major city hospital, offers cutting-edge treatments such as robotic-assisted surgery alongside sophisticated neurological and cardiothoracic procedures — all within proximity to the communities it serves.
“The hospital has always placed great emphasis on providing quality care for our patients. Once the project is completed, we will be better positioned than ever to meet the needs of our growing community,” Van Rensburg concludes.
Ends
Notes to editors
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For media enquiries, please contact MNA at the contact details listed below:
Issued by: MNA on behalf of Netcare Greenacres Hospital
For media enquiries contact: Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville, Estene Lotriet-Vorster,
Clementine Forsthofer or Natasha Burger
Telephone: 011 469 3016
Email: [email protected]