By: Natasha Archary

Twenty five months after a fire broke out at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg, the Gift of the Givers’ R60 million upgrade is now complete.
In April 2021, a fire in the stores section of the hospital caused a major setback in one of the most significant health facilities in the country.
The non-profit organisation assisted from the day the fire broke out to move patients from pediatric ICU to neighbouring hospitals.
Not only did the Gift of the Givers fund the private ambulances to move patients after the fire broke out, but they have also spent R60 million to develop and complete a new stores facility at the hospital.
“Gift of the Givers opted to develop a new stores facility. Fortunately a disused nurses dining room was identified on the premises, our architects and engineers went to work.
Gauteng Health, NDoH, Public Works, CMJAH Management and the DBSA were in awe of our design and approved the plans immediately.
Construction teams went to work, adhering to strict protocols especially regulations related to fire safety which turned out to be a very expensive aspect of the building development, and R60 million later, a 3000 square meter masterpiece, making it the largest medical stores facility in South Africa is ready for handover on 18 May, at 10h00.”
The handover will be done with Health Minister Joe Phaahla, Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi and Health MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko all present.
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