Media statement.
Friday, 12 July 2024.
CAPE TOWN – The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in the Western Cape has received various reports from its regional and local structures on the effects of the bad weather conditions on access to healthcare services in the province, and the picture is showing that healthcare institutions whose maintenance has not been carried out regularly are taking great strain and that the Cape Metropole and Paarl areas appear to be the most affected areas.
While in the main it is business as usual in many healthcare facilities, a number of healthcare facilities in the low-lying areas seem to encounter flooding to the level where some had to close down. The facilities are also experiencing a low patient turnout, which could be indicative of the community’s own struggles in accessing the healthcare facilities, especially the flooded communities.
DENOSA shop stewards are reporting the following affected institutions and areas:
· In Worcester, some areas in Brewelskloof have been affected closer to the Brewelskloof Hospital where a bridge is closed, and staff is not able to come to work. The Department of Health has put contingency measures to ensure sufficient deployment of staff to the facility in the meantime. Those staff members who could not be able to come to work, including nurses have signed special leave.
· At Bredasdorp Hospital in the Overberg District, staff have been relocated to areas where they are staying instead of travelling as some areas are flooded. The management has availed 4×4 bakkies for traveling if the need arises.
· In the Citrusdal area in the Olifants River Valley, there is a bridge that has been closed. Staff at Citrusdal Hospital cannot come to work. DENOSA shop stewards are monitoring the situation and will report back to the DENOSA provincial office as to what contingencies are to be put in place for both services and staff.
· Seemingly, Paarl and the surrounding areas are badly affected areas by the inclement weather, where most clinics are closed, and staff are forced to stay at home due to flooding. Outreach teams (those nurses that go out to visit patients in their communities and homes) are equally affected as they are not able to attend to patients in the most affected areas due to flooding. Equally, those patients and healthcare workers whose areas of residences are flooded are not able to get to healthcare centres and work respectively.
· The Cape Metro area, in the City of Cape Town, seems to be mostly affected in the province. The Elsies Community Health Centre in Elsies River has its roof blown off in the reception area early in the morning yesterday. Fortunately, nobody got injured. The facility was due to meet this morning to put contingency measures in place, and DENOSA is scheduled to meet with the provincial Department of Health about the condition at the facility. DENOSA shop stewards are monitoring the situation at the institution and will report back to the provincial office.
Kraaifontein Community Health Centre is also flooded, and DENOSA is assessing the state of being for both healthcare services and our members.
At the bigger hospitals, staff absenteeism and low patient turnout are noticeable as a result of the bad weather conditions, especially in areas where nurses and other healthcare workers reside. At the Groote Schuur Hospital, accommodation is being arranged for staff at the facility.
Generally, patient turnout is low in most facilities of the province, which is a worrisome indication to DENOSA as this will affect the patients’ health badly. This is because many patients are on chronic medication and if their access to healthcare facilities is hindered by the weather, they face the risk of defaulting. While there is no disaster that has been declared yet, DENOSA is pleased that, at least, contingency plans have been put in place.
The issue that DENOSA will sit down with the Department to iron out is around the special leave of absence for our members due to the inclement weather, so that they are not punished unnecessarily over the conditions that they are not responsible for.
DENOSA is calling on all its members and shop stewards to be on high alert and inform their supervisors and DENOSA if conditions are changing for worse in either their places of work or residence. DENOSA wishes them well in this difficult period.
End.
Issued by the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in the Western Cape.
For more information, contact:
Sabelo Ntshanga, DENOSA Western Cape Provincial Secretary.
Mobile: 072 432 6584.
Eleanor Roberts, DENOSA Western Cape Provincial Chairperson.
Mobile: 072 554 9929.