MAKIWANE MENTAL WARD AND WELLNESS CENTRE UPGRADED
Buffalo City Executive Mayor Councilor Princess Faku visited Cecilia Makiwane Hospital on Monday as the Provincial Health Department was re-opening a renovated mental hospital ward and staff wellness centre.
Faku, together with Eastern Cape Health department MEC, Nomakhosazana Meth were some of the dignitaries that attended the event, which was attended by close to 100 people.
Also present were BCMM Councillors and ward committee members, who came to show support.
The opening of the hospital mental ward and the wellness centre were made possible after the Executive Mayor called for assistance after she was approached about the situation of the two centres.
The wellness centre was in a dilapidated state with falling roofing. But on Monday, everything was all new and habitable. The mental ward was renovated and with fresh looking paint.
Speaking at the event, the executive mayor said the opening of the mental ward and the centre was because of an important partnership. She said they have planted a seed in the hospital.
“We are happy to be here today, we are saying thank you to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for making this all possible. The seed we have planted here is growing now. As Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality we have 972 000 people in this city and especially here in Mdantsane, this is their hospital. If you enter this hospital, it looks better than some of the private hospitals, look at the nursing staff here, they are neat, friendly and always ready to serve you. This hospital caters for all. MEC, we always hear positive stories about this hospital, that’s because of the staff you have here,” said Faku.
She added tthat the church made things possible. “The partnership we have with the church comes a long way as they were here in our City to give us food parcels which was later donated to our needy families in our communities. They also donated PPEs for the Health department, and they build schools in Qonce with ablution facilities.“We need to work with different stakeholders in our society. What this church has done is worth praising. The church also offers a lot of skills for our communities.”
Faku also praised MEC Meth for her role in the Health department. “You are an inspiration, thank you for servicing our people. In our institution, stability is very important. Thanks to the ward councilor and the committee as well for showing support.”
Besides the mental ward that was renovated, the wellness centre was also opened. It is meant for CMH employee wellness programme as it provides services for physiological, emotional, financial and spiritual wellbeing. It also provides counselling for staff members and their immediate families and also had trauma debriefing among other things.
MEC Meth appreciated the role the executive mayor had played in making sure that the initiative of the CMH hospital was made possible.
She encouraged her to keep doing what she’s doing for the health community. “As the mayor, you’ve done very well for this project. Please do not get tired…you are making this health work an everyday thing, and everyone’s business. Thanks for being a leader you are. We appreciate what you are doing. Keep doing it.”
Meth and Faku later lead the delegates to the two newly renovated centre and ward. The hospital CEO and senior management including the nursing staff were also praised for the work they've done to make sure that CMH remains the best.
2024-01-23