SA Military Health Services (SAMHS) plans to acquire a Level 2 field hospital which looks set for continental deployment.
According to a Department of Defence Logistics Division tender, the healthcare service of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) is to procure the field hospital “as per African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) standards”.
A Level 2 field hospital is a mobile, self-contained, self-sufficient healthcare facility capable of rapid deployment and expansion or contraction to meet operational requirements for a specified time.
According to the tender document, the facility is configured in “a tent shelter and specially designed container structure. It is designed as a modular facility in which individual modules to meet specific healthcare needs can be deployed. Modules can either inter-link or be fitted to create a central passage.
Containerised modules have to be fully equipped to run a fully functional practice which includes working and storage space as well as benches, cabinets and furniture.
The Level 2 hospital must also have voice and data lines, electricity (plugs, sockets and lights) plumbing and piping for air-conditioning and medical gasses.
It must have capacity for a minimum of three surgical procedures daily and hospitalisation of up to 20 sick or wounded at any time for up to seven days per patient. Outpatients must be catered for with 40 outpatient consultations a day as well as 10 X-rays and 20 laboratory tests. The unit must also be able to carry medical supplies sufficient for 60 days.
Other features of the Level 2 field hospital include a dental unit, two-bed intensive care unit along with two 10-bed wards, radiography room, laboratory, sterilisation room and a reception/administrative area.
There will be a compulsory bidders’ information briefing on 8 September at SAMHS Training Formation in Thaba Tshwane. Bids close on 17 September.
