SKMTH begins phase one transition
Laone Choeunyane | Monday February 9, 2026 09:50
The update was provided during a media tour and press briefing at SKMTH, where officials outlined progress made since the transition began earlier this year.
SKMTH is a 450-bed tertiary referral hospital, while PMH, with a capacity of 567 beds, often operates beyond its limit, accommodating more than 600 patients at a time. Both hospitals now function as referral centres.
Presenting on the transition, Senior Consultant and Paediatric Endocrinologist at PMH, Seeletso Nchingane, said the initiative responds to longstanding pressure on PMH. “The transition is about improving access to quality healthcare while easing pressure on Princess Marina Hospital, which has been operating beyond capacity for years,” he said.
Phase One focuses on the integration of key support services, including pharmacy, laboratory, radiology and dietetics, as well as selected sub-specialist outpatient clinics in internal medicine and paediatrics. Orthopaedic surgical services have also been expanded to SKMTH.
Nchingane also said distributing services between the two facilities was already yielding benefits. “By distributing services between PMH and SKMTH, we are reducing overcrowding in outpatient departments, pharmacies, laboratories and radiology services,” he said.
Since the beginning of the transition, internal medicine sub-specialist clinics, including nephrology, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology and others, have reviewed 265 patients. A further 26 endoscopic procedures were performed and 16 bleeding cases managed, bringing the total number of patients serviced to 328.
Paediatric sub-specialist clinics covering areas such as endocrinology, cardiology, nephrology, neurology and infectious diseases have reviewed 21 patients across 12 clinics.
As part of the transition, orthopaedic surgeries are now split between PMH and SKMTH, allowing both facilities to share theatre capacity and reduce waiting times, with 11 procedures completed at PMH and 12 at SKMTH.
Nchingane noted that expanded space and infrastructure at SKMTH are improving patient flow. “Improved outpatient space means more patients can be seen in a shorter time, which helps eliminate early-morning queues and long waiting times,” he said.
SKMTH currently has eight operational theatres with capacity to expand to 13, compared to PMH’s seven. “The hospital offers access to high-level diagnostic and treatment equipment such as MRI, CT scans, dialysis and radiotherapy, which strengthens tertiary care services,” Nchingane added.
He emphasised that both hospitals would continue operating as referral centres to ensure uninterrupted service delivery. Meanwhile, Phase Two of the transition will focus on expanding accident and emergency and intensive care services, with further updates expected in the coming weeks.