The Western Cape Provincial Parliament’s Standing Committee on Health conducted an unannounced oversight visit to the Witzenberg sub-district on Friday, in which Ceres Hospital, as well as Bella Vista, Op-die-Berg and Wolseley Clinics, were inspected. After visiting all of these healthcare facilities, despite the pressures being faced, residents were still receiving the quality healthcare they deserve.
We saw this at the Ceres Hospital, for example. In the area where the population is more than 146 000 and is supplemented by the migration of seasonal workers, it remains the only 24-hour facility. More than this, the community also has a burden of diseases such as those relating to trauma, violence, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, chronic disease and mental health issues stemming from substance abuse due to Tik and alcohol. The facility also has been experiencing an increase in the headcount at its emergency centre on a monthly basis, whereby more than 1 800 people were assisted in December last year.
It is the culmination of these factors which led to a number of concerns being raised and the following interventions having been implemented:
- Appointment of a 2nd family physician and assistant primary healthcare manager, TB nursing staff in clinics and a sessional doctor to support chronic care patients;
- NGO support to TB and HIV patients;
- Furthering community-orientated healthcare with the Du Toit public-private partnership; and
- Reviewed the relevant mobile routes.
MPP Wendy Kaizer-Philander says: “Even though there are many challenges being faced, there have been welcomed steps taken to ensure quality healthcare for residents. We have seen the immense resilience of healthcare workers here in Witzenberg and would thank each and every one of them for their continued hard work.
As the DA in Western Cape, we look forward to the provincial Department building on from its successes and doing more in the future.”