OUDTSHOORN NEWS - The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has introduced a range of measures to ensure that patients from the Central Karoo continue to access specialist healthcare services following extensive damage to key transport routes caused by severe weather earlier this year.
According to Robyn Thomson, spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Health and Wellness, severe weather in May caused widespread damage to infrastructure across the province, including the closure of major routes linking the Central Karoo and Garden Route districts.
The damage to Meiringspoort and the Uniondale Pass has affected the department’s ability to transport patients to George Regional Hospital through HealthNET, its non-emergency patient transport service.
To minimise disruptions, HealthNET teams are using alternative routes to George where possible, despite significantly longer travel times. In some instances, patients are being referred to Worcester Hospital for specialist services.
The department has also allocated additional funding to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the Garden Route District to assist with increased operational demands resulting from the road closures and severe weather.
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, visited George this week to meet with healthcare and emergency services teams and assess the impact of the damaged road network on healthcare delivery.
“Our EMS teams served communities with courage and exceptional dedication during the severe weather events, conducting multiple search and rescue operations while continuing to provide critical services under challenging circumstances,” Wenger said.
She noted that while the province is responding to an estimated R9 billion in infrastructure damage, efforts are also focused on ensuring continued access to healthcare for patients affected by the closure of key routes.
“Although the closure of Meiringspoort and the Uniondale Pass has affected our ability to transport Central Karoo patients to George Regional Hospital for specialist services, practical solutions are being implemented to ensure patients continue receiving the care they need,” she said.
HealthNET plays a vital role in the province’s healthcare system by transporting patients who are unable to use public transport for medical reasons to specialist outpatient appointments, regional and tertiary hospitals, and other specialised healthcare services.
Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, said restoring damaged transport infrastructure remains a priority.
“Our teams are working tirelessly with engineers and contractors to assess and repair damaged infrastructure as quickly and safely as possible. Meiringspoort is a strategic route, and its restoration is critical, but the extent of the damage means repairs will take time,” Simmers said.
He added that several routes across the province have been affected and urged residents to remain patient, obey road signs and make use of alternative routes where necessary.
Wenger also appealed to patients and their families for understanding while temporary transport arrangements remain in place.
“We understand that longer travel times and changes to transport arrangements may be frustrating and inconvenient. These measures are temporary but necessary to ensure that patients continue receiving the specialist services they require,” she said.
She thanked healthcare workers, emergency personnel and patients for their flexibility and cooperation during the ongoing recovery process.
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