A street-level artist ’ s impression of Midlands Medical Centre on completion .
Midlands Medical Centre
Midlands Medical Centre ( MMC ), which has undergone significant expansion in recent years , is a hospital that sees itself partnering with state hospitals in the future to deliver better care to all . The hospital , situated in Pietermaritzburg ’ s CBD , is currently undergoing an exciting expansion . “ The move is prompted by a combination of visionary leadership and a growing market for private health care ,” says Chairman Dr Ashraff YD Moosa . “ It is envisaged that State hospitals like Grey ’ s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg will make use of MMC ’ s facilities instead of sending patients to Durban , as they do now .” New construction projects and refurbishments are already underway in the hospital ’ s Blocks B , C and D . In Block B , the construction of a new adult general ward , containing another 23 beds , is in progress . The aesthetics of the ward , says Dr Moosa , will be in keeping with the latest specifications of the other newly expanded areas of the hospital , where the latest , stateof-the-art technology and equipment will be employed . Block C is undergoing significant growth too , with construction in a number of important areas . Once completed , the hospital will have added :
The new design of the foyer at Midlands Medical Centre .
20 | Issue 2 | Capital
• a cardiac catheterisation lab
• a cardiac theatre
• a 12-bed cardiac ICU
• a 30-bed cardiac ward
• an additional Caesarian theatre
• a new radiology department
• 26 additional doctors ’ consulting suites
• two additional floors of parking
• a gym
• a coffee shop
• an upgraded staff canteen area
• an upgraded maintenance department . In Block D , specialist doctors have already moved into 10 new suites . Located on the corner of Langalibalele Street and Williams Street , this section of the hospital also meets the pressing need for parking in this busy part of the city ’ s CBD by providing six levels of safe and secure parking for patients and visitors . All of this impressive growth is in addition to recent expansions and enhancements to the hospital that have been carried out in recent years . These include :
• A new gastrointestinal ( GI ) unit . This is a critically important facility , says Dr Moosa , given the demand for gastroenterologicalrelated clinical services . The unit is now fully operational , run by a dedicated team , and is a busy facility .
• A new , more welcoming admissions and reception area that was completed in late 2015 .
• A new kitchen , completed in 2015 , which has contributed significantly to the productivity of catering staff and the quality of the hospital ’ s meals . The double-volume facility is equipped with the latest , state-of-the-art equipment .
• A new , larger laundry , which was completed towards the end of 2014 . This investment highlights MMC ’ s understanding of the important role played by the support services at the hospital , says Dr Moosa .
And while the expansion to date is impressive , MMC is still growing . The hospital will soon build a new paediatric ward and its existing wards will be getting an upgrade . “ With a growing base of young families in Pietermaritzburg , the demand for paediatric care in the city is growing ,” says Dr Moosa . The new ward will have updated facilities , with a more spacious environment , and the aesthetics of the ward will be in keeping with the needs of parents and children , says Dr Moosa . All older wards are to be upgraded to match the newly expanded sections of the hospital in Blocks C1 , C2 and D , says Dr Moosa , as “ it is vitally important that MMC ensures that the older areas of the hospital be upgraded to the aesthetics of newly expanded areas .” Midlands Medical Centre estimates that it has created employment for several hundred people thus far . By the time these upgrades and expansions are complete , MMC will have invested a sizable sum of money into the healthcare industry in the Pietermaritzburg and KZN Midlands area .