Komani Hospital in Queenstown is set for a major facelift, with a R109 million makeover expected to be completed early in 2009.

East London construction company iLima Projects was awarded the tender to carry out the renovations.

iLima's executive director of public relations Lettitia Ndema said: "As soon as we are given the site it will be all systems go ... we intend to hand over a completed project in January 2009".

Department of Health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the project was part of the provincial hospital upgrade programme.

Kupelo said several of the buildings on the hospital premises were vacant and disused, and would be upgraded and renovated.

"These buildings have been deteriorating over the last couple of years and need renovating. No new structures will be erected, only existing buildings would be upgraded."

Kupelo explained that patients currently occupying wards would not be affected by the renovations, but work had been phased so they would only be moved when renovations were complete.

Of the existing wards, one is set to become the new administration building, while another will become an admission ward and an outpatient department.

Kupelo said another would be converted into a male admission ward, while ward D would become the sickbay. Some of the unused buildings would be turned into storerooms and a workshop.

"New beds and laundry equipment will be part of the improved hospital," said Kupelo.

Ndema added they would also be constructing a new gatehouse structure.