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By Staff Reporter 
1 hour ago
Cape Town – With hospitalizations on the rise due to the second wave of Covid-19 infections, the Western Cape government has made a number of changes to its current healthcare offering.
Among them is news that the Western Cape Health Department has restricted visits to the hospital. Non-urgent outpatient appointments will be postponed and patients will be given alternate dates.
Patients who are in the hospital but stable will be discharged for further treatment at home or at a transitional facility, and non-urgent elective surgery will be postponed and patients will be provided with a later date.
The outreach activities of regional and district hospitals will also be suspended.
The Health Department has also urged patients to only access emergency centers for the emergencies listed, and that non-emergency patients should access health care services at the closest clinic.
The listed emergency services that will continue are:
- Emergency surgery
- Obstetric surgery
- High-risk obstetric clinic
- Fracture Clinic
- Limited eye care and surgery
- Allied health for emergencies
Modified services in clinics:
- The administration of drugs to stable chronic patients will continue
- Medications will be given for longer periods whenever possible
- Scopes will be postponed
- Non-urgent appointments will be postponed and an alternate date will be given.
- Essential services will continue, such as TB and HIV detection and treatment, chronic care, family planning, vaccinations, and prenatal and postnatal care.
- Dental services limited to emergencies only
- Vision care services limited to emergencies only
- MOUs (midwifery obstetric units) will continue to function
The provincial Health Department said patients were encouraged to make an appointment before visiting a health center by calling their local clinic.
Patients in the Cabo metro can also access the Pocket Clinic Telehealth Service from their mobile phones (WhatsApp) by sending a “Hello” to 087 240 6122.
“Only visit the hospital clinic or emergency center when it is really necessary. The coronavirus spreads wherever people gather, including in public health facilities. Always wear a clean cloth mask over your mouth and nose, and keep 1.5m away from other people, ”the department said.
Tips to stay safe:
- Always wear a cloth mask that covers your nose and mouth when you leave the house.
- Protect your airspace by keeping a distance of 1.5m from others.
- Socialize outdoors, with a small number of people, for a limited time.
- Avoid confined spaces with poor ventilation, crowds, and close contact with other people.
- Keep doors and windows open for good ventilation when indoors.
- Stay home if you feel bad. Arrange for a Covid-19 test if you have symptoms, such as headache, body ache, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, and weakness.
- Isolate while waiting for test results. If positive, isolate for ten days.
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