Charlotte Maxeke Repairs on Track: Gauteng Health Eyes August 2026 for Phase 1 Completion

Radiation unit restored, emergency care up and running, here’s where things stand at one of Joburg’s most vital hospitals.

Four years after flames tore through parts of the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), the Gauteng Department of Health says the extensive remedial work is firmly on track and Phase 1 is expected to be completed by August 2026.

The April 2021 fire left one of South Africa’s most important tertiary hospitals reeling. But the road to recovery has gained momentum, with the hospital now operating at a bed capacity higher than before the fire, according to the department.

A Two-Phase Mega Project

The restoration is unfolding in two key phases:

• Phase 1 includes the demolition and reconstruction of Blocks 4 and 5 North, areas considered critical to hospital function.

• Phase 2 focuses on fire compliance upgrades throughout the entire hospital, a complex undertaking that will require R1.7 billion in funding.

While Phase 2 remains in the planning stage, with the prefeasibility and concept reports already approved, the province is now developing a business case and exploring private investment options to close the funding gap.

Where the Money’s Going

Out of the R426 million allocated for Work Package One, R139 million has been spent as of April 2025. These funds have already yielded visible results:

• The Radiation Oncology Unit and Accident & Emergency Department are back in full operation.

• A state-of-the-art dry store facility has been built to improve the storage and access of critical medical supplies.

• New fire doors have been installed to boost safety.

• A temporary access ramp was constructed, restoring access to 300 parking bays on the P3 level, although fire-damaged bays remain out of use for now.

Keeping Patient Care at the Centre

Despite the ongoing construction, the hospital has avoided off-site service dispersal by adopting a “decanting strategy” rotating services internally to maintain full functionality.

“This approach ensures that all services remain within the hospital for better patient care,” the department said, adding that safety remains non-negotiable.

Hospital management and project teams have committed to open communication with staff and stakeholders, keeping everyone updated as work continues.

A Safer, Stronger CMJAH

The repair project at CMJAH is more than a rebuild, it’s a symbol of resilience in South Africa’s stretched public health sector. Though challenges remain, the progress so far reflects a coordinated effort to restore not only infrastructure but public trust.

As the province tackles the next stages, including navigating the steep price tag for Phase 2 officials are optimistic that Charlotte Maxeke Hospital will emerge safer, more modern, and better equipped to serve Joburg’s diverse communities.

For many South Africans, the hospital’s slow but steady comeback is a rare good-news story in a sector often under fire and a sign that, brick by brick, recovery is possible.

{Source: The Citizen}

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