Construction of a US$ 21m forensics laboratory unit in South Africa has commenced; it will replace the forensic pathology services laboratory in Salt River, Cape Town.
The new laboratory will have a larger purpose-built modern forensic pathology facility to be built at the entrance to Groote Schuur Hospital in Observatory.
The mega project is not only a partnership between the Western Cape government health (WCGH) department but also the transport and public works department; this is according to the Western Cape government.
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Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo said that infrastructure is a priority to address patient experience and service pressures. Clean and functional infrastructure is at the core of their agenda.
“When developing these new facilities it is important to look beyond vision 2030. This is because it seeks to give access to person-centred and quality care,” Mbombo added.
The new facility
The facility will comprise of 26 autopsy tables – four dissection suites with six tables each. It will also include two teaching and training dissection suites. In addition, the building will accommodate up to 100 visitors to the bereavement centre per day; up to 10 waiting undertakers; and up to 20 students at a time.
The development which is a three-storey institute will enable better integration of the work of the provincial forensic pathology service. It will moreover enhance the services of the national health laboratory, coupled with facilities to support the University of Cape Town’s academic training in the field.
The end result will be an efficient and functional building for the Western Cape health department with low life-cycle building costs.
The project is now under way and the completion date is set for early 2019.
