Construction of a new R240 million psychiatric hospital in Port Shepstone is expected to begin in the coming months, with the project set to improve access to specialised mental healthcare while creating hundreds of employment opportunities.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works officially handed over the construction site on Tuesday, marking the start of the long-awaited project.
Speaking at the site handover, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure Martin Meyer said the new facility would help address the growing demand for mental healthcare services in the province.
Meyer noted that an estimated 80% of people in KwaZulu-Natal living with depression and other mental health conditions do not receive the treatment they need, highlighting the importance of expanding access to specialised care.
He said the construction project is expected to create approximately 230 job opportunities for local residents while also contributing to improved healthcare infrastructure in the Ugu District.
"To the officials of our department and to our contractors, the Health Department has put its trust in us, and I know we are up to the task. I trust you. The HOD trusts you. Our people trust you. This is our time to rise to new heights, and I know we can do it," Meyer said.
"This hospital will stand not only as a monument to quality healthcare in this district, but also as a symbol of the significant progress made by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure."