Kempton Park Hospital: Is the ‘ghost hospital’ getting a new lease on life?
The Gauteng government is exploring a public-private partnership to revitalize the long-abandoned Kempton Park Hospital.
Kempton Park Hospital has remained abandoned for nearly 30 years, costing the government millions in maintenance and security. The Gauteng government is now exploring a public-private partnership to decide the hospital’s future.
Government ready to give up control
As reported by The Citizen, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDH) seems ready to relinquish control and revive the facility.
The Gauteng Infrastructure Funding Agency (GIFA) has repeatedly assessed the area. The Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko relayed the latest developments to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
As per a review in June 2024, the MEC has invited potential private partners to submit proposals to bring the building back to life. This step is very different from a previous GIFA suggestion.
An earlier GIFA suggestion was to either demolish and rebuild the building, or have the department undertake a full refurbishment of the facility.
“Both options presented huge financial implications for the department and the budget was not sufficient to undertake any of the two options. It is for this reason that we are now exploring a public-private partnership.”
Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, in a media statement
Kempton Park hospital currently costing the government millions
The Kempton Park Hospital has been standing empty since 1997, according to Maroela Media. It has since become an attraction for vandals and ghosthunters. Markedly, the hospital turned into a legend among urban explorers. Many people added to its mysterious reputation by illegally sneaking in and exploring the site.
The hospital is located on a large tract of land. The previous provincial infrastructure MEC Lebogang Maile stated in September 2023 that the facility was costing over R6 million a year to maintain and secure.
An article by Polity stated that the abandoned Kempton Park Hospital costs Gauteng residents R6 694 583.64 for security services annually – a massive waste of resources because the hospital has not operated for over two decades.
Why was the Kempton Park Hospital closed?
Karibu reported that the provincial government of Gauteng led by then Health MEC, Amos Masondo, closed the doors to the hospital on 26 December 1996. It was a 350-bed facility and the largest hospital in the region. It cost just under R30 million to construct and had equipment worth R10 million inside.
The government closed the hospital claiming that it was underused and a waste of state money to keep it running. Since the closing of the hospital, there has been a high demand for healthcare in the area which then put pressure on the Tembisa Hospital as the residents of Kempton Park resorted to using the Tembisa Tertiary Hospital.