Khayelitsha residents welcomed the opening of the new Acute Psychiatric Unit (APU) at Khayelitsha District Hospital on Thursday 3 September. The event was attended by Provincial Minister of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger and Minister of Infrastructure Tertius Simmers.
Residents welcome the facility
Resident Nonzwakazi Nondiza described the facility as a great move, saying its opening was a breath of fresh air.
“It’s been long overdue. This is a safe space for our children. Our children are sick because of drugs. They don’t sleep. Many families are disorganised because of substance abuse. At least now we have a safe space where we can take and keep our children to get treatment.” She urged community members to reclaim their streets from criminals and drug lords.
Another resident, Maki Fuzile, echoed Nondiza’s sentiments, saying many children were mentally disturbed because of substance abuse. He said the new unit would greatly help change the lives of many young people.
“It seems most of the people who are mentally disturbed are young, most of them smoking drugs or drinking alcohol, even both. The older people are not right mentally, possibly because of age and the challenges of the passing years, and I believe they will also be able to get help now. Our government must intervene and clean our streets.”
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This is the second APU to be opened, following the first at Eerste River Hospital in July.
Designed for healing
The R87,41 million unit has 30 beds, providing a purpose-built space that recognises the particular needs of psychiatric patients.
Wenger said an improved environment will mean a great deal to patients, families and health-care workers from now on.
“This space will be a symbol of hope and mean greater dignity and safety for people experiencing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Families can feel reassured that their loved ones will receive appropriate treatment in an environment designed to protect their well-being and support their recovery.”
Wenger said the Khayelitsha APU, like the unit at Eerste River Hospital, has been designed as part of the therapeutic environment itself. Natural light, well-ventilated wards, two secure courtyards and carefully planned patient areas help create calmer spaces that support recovery and enhance safety. Patient care areas are separated from operational and maintenance spaces to enable uninterrupted care and a more dignified patient experience, she stated.
Call for collective responsibility
Khayelitsha District Hospital Board chair Sabelo Mbolompo said, “As the Khayelitsha District Hospital Board, we welcome this APU and recognise it as an important investment in the health and wellbeing of our community. However, no facility can address this challenge alone. Mental health is everybody’s responsibility. Let the opening of this APU strengthen our collective commitment to building a Khayelitsha where people can seek help without fear or judgement.”
Simmers said demand for mental health services has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the APU projects form part of the Western Cape government’s response to increase access to mental healthcare services and improve the environments in which acute psychiatric care is delivered.
“This unit is a testament to what targeted public investment can achieve, delivering a world-class, purpose-built facility that puts dignity, safety, and healing at the heart of healthcare. Beyond the infrastructure itself, this project directly empowered the local economy, exceeding our local labour and small business targets to ensure that the construction process truly benefited the Khayelitsha community,” concluded Simmers.
