Dear Editor
During today’s Standing Committee on Health, the Khayelitsha District Hospital showed that despite the challenges and pressures it faces on a daily basis, it is still able to deliver services and offer what is expected by Regional Hospital equivalents. Moreover, by also accepting referrals from other institutions in Khayelitsha and Mfuleni, the hospital continues to play a crucial role in providing health care to the community.
The hospital was originally established 10 years ago, and originally only 6 specialists were on duty. Overtime, this number has more than doubled to 14 and is complemented by the countless staff who work tirelessly to offer residents quality services.
One of the main contributors towards these pressures on capacity is the large community it serves. In addition to a population which is exponentially increasing, the community also experiences high burdens of diseases linked to general socio-economic conditions. Safety concerns also play a role and are responsible for trauma cases which directly affect the hospital’s functioning, whether it be attacks on personnel or EMS vehicles.
Various proactive measures to manage capacity pressures have been implemented including investing in making use of addition agency staff to assist with services in demand as well as general additions to its current infrastructure. In 2023, a 30-bed extension unit is planned to be completed for its psychiatry ward, which will significantly relieve pressures it currently faces. Above this, frequent engagements, supported by various radio campaigns, help to raise awareness of the facilities the community should seek.
MPP Kaizer-Philander says: “As the DA in the Western Cape, we are most appreciative of the hard work which the hospital does every day. It must be emphasised that notwithstanding the challenges, Khayelitsha District Hospital experiences a mortality of between 2-4% – levels comparable to other District Hospitals in the City. Proving that despite the high demand, quality healthcare is still being provided to residents in Khayelitsha and its surrounding areas.
We will be asking for further information regarding specific posts and beds that the hospital requires to assist in dealing with the capacity pressures.
We know that Covid-19 has placed immense demands on our health system. Therefore, we welcome the Department’s budget reallocation of R114 million to hospitals in the province for additional services to assist with backlogs to ensure quality healthcare for all.”
Regards
Wendy Kaizer-Philander, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Health
