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During Friday’s briefing, it was confirmed that ten clinics from the City of Cape Town are now under the provincial Department’s control owing to these facilities offering duplicate services as offered by the province.

This means that these services will be streamlined and will allow public health care in the Western Cape to be even more efficient and cost effective.

Owing to the important role the metro fulfils in primary health care, the Standing Committee on Health has resolved to invite the City to provide an overview of its facilities and the services they offer.

The decision to provincialise these clinics stems from a Cabinet Resolution in 2015 in which it was maintained that personal primary health care should be rendered by a singular authority, which would be the provincial Department. In achieving this, it means that health services can be integrated and offered at a single point of delivery.

The transition of these facilities has gone relative smoothly. While there are some challenges being experienced, the Department is resolving them in a timeous manner. So far, the following progress has been made:

The transfer of proper management is being concluded.

Necessary equipment for these facilities has been procured, with the City allowing their current equipment to be used until the remaining orders arrive.

The clinical staff needed are appointed and working, while non-clinical staff appointments are being processed.

MPP Wendy Kaizer-Philander says: “It needs to be emphasised that those facilities situated in close proximity to larger ones will remain open so that service delivery continues unhindered. As the DA, we will monitor this process and look forward to future developments in this regard.”

Issued by Wendy Kaizer-Philander, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Health