Latest news with #WesternCapeDepartmentofHealthandWellness
IOL News
2 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Private and public health sectors join forces in think tank aimed at universal healthcare strategy
A universal health think tank has been launched in the Western Cape. Image: Ron The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has launched a groundbreaking healthcare think tank, uniting public and private sector professionals to develop a comprehensive universal healthcare strategy. This initiative aims to improve patient care, enhance resource efficiency, and foster collaboration across healthcare systems in the province. In March 2025, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness launched an innovative healthcare think tank—a first-of-its-kind initiative that brings together public and private healthcare professionals, including private hospitals, laboratories, pharmacy groups, healthcare funders, academic institutions, and the provincial Department of Health and Wellness. Since its inception, this collaborative effort has been working to maximise resources and co-create a 'Western Cape Universal Healthcare Strategy — one built on partnership and innovation' . Western Cape MEC of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, emphasised the importance of collaboration in delivering a patient-centred healthcare system. She stated, "Healthcare is a team effort. To meet the immediate and long-term needs of our residents, we need the public and private sectors, alongside academic experts, to work together to find smarter, more efficient ways to deliver quality care. Our vision is to harness the best of both sectors to make this a reality. While this think tank is still in its early days, I am confident that through collaboration, we can ease pressure on the system, expand access to care, and ensure that every Rand is spent wisely." The think tank's work is centred on co-creating a Universal Healthcare Strategy—one that is flexible, locally driven, rooted in collaboration, and focused on delivering the highest standard of care to residents. Between May and November 2025, the group will meet monthly to set joint goals, identify priority areas where collaboration can have the greatest impact, assess capacity across both systems, and explore sustainable funding mechanisms to ensure long-term success. The think tank is also developing strategies for implementing initial joint projects to improve healthcare delivery on the ground. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ One potential solution under consideration is enabling public-sector patients to access specialised medical equipment and diagnostic imaging at private facilities where these are not available in the public health system. Many private hospitals have advanced technology, such as CT scanners and MRI machines, which public-sector patients, especially those in rural areas, often struggle to access without travelling long distances. By working together, the public and private sectors could reduce unnecessary travel, improve patient care, and enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery. "Currently, it is more cost-effective to transport patients to public facilities with the necessary machines than to install and maintain such equipment at over 40 public hospitals across the province,' Wenger said. 'However, if patients could access scans at nearby private facilities instead of enduring long journeys, not only would the patient experience be greatly improved and continuity of care safeguarded, but the department would also be able to ease the burden on stretched patient transportation. This initiative fosters a more integrated healthcare network, encouraging resource-sharing and capacity-building between sectors—all with the goal of improving health outcomes." She said this think tank is just the beginning, and an important step forward. Wenger said by working together, real and meaningful progress can be made. 'I want to thank our private-sector and academic partners for joining us on this journey, and I look forward to the solutions that we create together to improve healthcare in this province," she added. IOL
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Essential tips to prevent children getting burned
As winter creeps in, hospitals in the Western Cape brace for a devastating and familiar pattern: a sharp rise in young children arriving with horrific burns — many of them avoidable. In just one year, the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital treated over 3,000 children for burns, with 586 needing admission. Most were scalded by boiling water, hot drinks or bathwater — and more than 80% of these cases were entirely preventable. 'It happened so quickly. One minute I was preparing the cold water for her bath and the next, she was hurt. She pulled the kettle's cord and the hot water from the kettle caused burns,' said a mother whose daughter was admitted to the burns unit. Marking Burns Awareness Week this May, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, the Children's Hospital Trust, and ChildSafe South Africa are urging urgent vigilance. Most burns occur between May and August — a time when caregivers, desperate to stay warm, unintentionally put children at risk.
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Western Cape's Tygerberg Hospital: a decade of delays and unmet promises
Tygerberg Hospital Image: File It has been 16 years since the Western Cape provincial cabinet decided to rebuild Tygerberg Hospital, but the site remains untouched. The project, first announced in 2009, is still stuck in paperwork and planning, with the health department only now moving into the procurement stage. Frustrated residents and critics say it's a clear sign of failure to deliver. Dwayne Evans, spokesperson for the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, confirmed this week that the project has not yet reached the construction phase. 'The Tygerberg Public Private Partnership (PPP) has progressed through feasibility and Treasury approval and is currently preparing its PPP tender documentation for the procurement stage. This stage involves refining the service brief and market-engaging potential partners; it does not involve construction on site yet,' he said. Although the department said the plan for a new hospital is still going ahead, it admits the process has been delayed by design changes and extra technical work. The new Tygerberg Central Hospital is meant to have 893 beds and provide specialised services. It will be supported by a 593-bed Belhar Regional Hospital, which will handle less complex care. The department has said that building will only begin once a private partner is chosen and all funding agreements are finalised. That is not expected before 2028. The estimated cost is around R5 billion, not including medical equipment, but the final cost will depend on the bids received from private companies. Opposition parties said this is not good enough. ANC health spokesperson Rachel Windvogel was blunt in her criticism. 'The state of public healthcare infrastructure in the Western Cape is dire, and the DA-led government's failure to deliver on these mega projects – Klipfontein Regional Hospital, Belhar Regional Hospital, and Tygerberg Central Hospital – is unacceptable,' she said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ She added: 'All three projects, conceptualized over a decade ago, remain mired in delays, with Tygerberg's redevelopment stuck in procurement since 2009 and Belhar and Klipfontein still in the design phase. The GF Jooste Hospital was demolished without a timely replacement, forcing communities to wait until 2030 or later for relief. This is a shambolic dereliction of duty.' Windvogel also stressed the importance of economic inclusion in the public-private partnership model. 'While we note Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a global best practice, we insist on stringent provisions to ensure SMMEs, particularly Black (including African, Coloured, and Indian), women, and youth-led businesses, benefit meaningfully.' Unions have also raised concerns. Hospersa – the Health & Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa – supports the idea of the redevelopment but warns that staff are already under immense pressure. Tsholo Ramokoatsi, Labour Relations Organiser for Hospersa said the project could bring much-needed relief, but the long delays are damaging both patients and healthcare workers. 'This project is a good idea because it will rebuild health infrastructure, connect communities, and strengthen partnerships. 'It also has the potential to give low-income individuals access to quality care, even without medical aid.' Ramokoatsi however warned that delays are contributing to an already struggling employer morale at Tygerberg. 'The staff shortage has already made it extremely difficult for our members to cope with the demanding working conditions at Tygerberg. 'The employer is not expanding the capacity of the workforce but expects the same small number of employees to keep the system going.' 'Our members are often forced to work outside their scope of practice to meet the employer's demands. This places them at serious risk of losing their professional licences, particularly in the Nursing Department,' Ramokoatsi added. Weekend Argus
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Don't let your child become a statistic: essential tips to prevent burns
As winter creeps in, hospitals in the Western Cape brace for a devastating and familiar pattern: a sharp rise in young children arriving with horrific burns — many of them avoidable. In just one year, the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital treated over 3,000 children for burns, with 586 needing admission. Most were scalded by boiling water, hot drinks or bathwater — and more than 80% of these cases were entirely preventable. 'It happened so quickly. One minute I was preparing the cold water for her bath and the next, she was hurt. She pulled the kettle's cord and the hot water from the kettle caused burns,' said a mother whose daughter was admitted to the burns unit. Marking Burns Awareness Week this May, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, the Children's Hospital Trust, and ChildSafe South Africa are urging urgent vigilance. Most burns occur between May and August — a time when caregivers, desperate to stay warm, unintentionally put children at risk.
Eyewitness News
26-04-2025
- Health
- Eyewitness News
World Immunisation Week: WC Health Dept says vaccines play key role in building population immunity
CAPE TOWN - As part of World Immunisation Week, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has explained that vaccines play a vital role in keeping communities safe and healthy. The campaign, which is observed from 24 to 30 April, aims to raise awareness about the critical role vaccines play in preventing serious diseases. ALSO READ: Immunisation protects and builds population immunity Vaccines not only protect people but also safeguard vulnerable groups, including people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women, who may not be able to receive the jab. Department spokesperson Dwayne Evans said vaccines are key to building population immunity, helping communities stay healthier and more resilient. 'Vaccines are among the most powerful tools we have to protect individuals and communities from life-threatening diseases. They have successfully eradicated or significantly reduced illnesses such as polio, measles, and diphtheria in many parts of the world.' He added that vaccines help the body recognise and fight harmful germs. 'So, vaccines support the body's natural defences by helping the immune system recognise and respond to harmful germs more effectively.'
