Crestcare Malmesbury Hospital, a newly inaugurated 84-bed acute care facility, aims to transform healthcare access in the greater Swartland district of the Western Cape. This state-of-the-art hospital addresses a significant undersupply of affordable, quality medical care in peri-urban, rural, and township areas.
Strategic Partnerships and Community Involvement
The hospital is a partnership between medical specialists, the community, Crestcare’s holding company, Summit Africa, and the landlord, Twin City. This collaboration ensures much-needed healthcare services are provided by over 18 specialists for the people of Malmesbury and the broader Swartland district.
Improved Access to Healthcare
Conveniently located near the N7 and Voortrekker Road, Crestcare Malmesbury Hospital will significantly reduce the travel distance for patients previously needing to journey over 40 kilometers for essential medical services. The facility is equipped with four advanced operating theatres, including a high-tech laminar flow theatre, which ensures the highest standards of surgical care by preventing airborne bacteria from contaminating surgical sites. The hospital will open for admissions on 1 August 2024.
Kit Wostenholm, Executive Director at Crestcare, emphasized the hospital’s mission: “At Crestcare, we challenge the notion of quality healthcare being hours away. Our commitment is to make private healthcare affordable and exceptional for everyone, everywhere.”
Economic Impact and Job Creation
The hospital’s launch aligns with Summit Africa’s vision of healthcare as a defensive asset class, notwithstanding the potential introduction of National Health Insurance in South Africa. The facility is expected to generate significant economic benefits, creating approximately 150 construction jobs per month during its development phase and 170 new permanent positions throughout its operational lifespan. Additionally, every hospital bed added to the Crestcare portfolio is projected to create 1.5 direct jobs, while each R1 million invested in the hospital could generate an equivalent annual income for local small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
Ryno de Leeuw, CEO of Twin City, highlighted the strategic importance of the new hospital: “Crestcare Malmesbury Hospital is a perfect fit in our aim to diversify across asset classes and geographic footprint. We are incredibly excited about the future of this hospital, not only in being affiliated with such a reputable healthcare operator but also about the region’s potential over time.”
Enhancing Community Health and Economic Growth
The hospital’s impact extends beyond healthcare, supporting economic development in the region. By improving access to affordable healthcare, Crestcare Malmesbury Hospital is poised to enhance community health outcomes, increase life expectancy, and reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. This initiative underscores the broader mission of Crestcare and Summit Africa to drive economic growth and foster thriving, economically robust communities.
Charl Hambridge, CEO of Crestcare Malmesbury Hospital, explained, “By advancing health equity, we’re not just improving community health outcomes. We are also driving significant economic growth. Bringing critical acute care closer to communities has a ripple effect, fostering thriving, economically robust communities.”
Crestcare Malmesbury Hospital not only improves access to affordable healthcare but also drives economic growth and community development in the Swartland region. This initiative reflects Crestcare’s broader mission of fostering thriving, healthy, and economically robust communities across South Africa.
