HARSH REALITY OF WC HEALTHCARE

Budget praise masks a system buckling under pressure

- MURRAY SWART [e-mail]

EVERY day patients at the Western Cape public health services face long queues, overcrowding and even becoming a victim of crime during their wait as opportunistic thieves seize the moment.

As the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness celebrates another clean audit, its seventh in a row, its financial success is overshadowed by the reality patients face.

The department admitted the healthcare system continues to face significant challenges, including extended waiting times and strain on facilities. It said the demand for healthcare is outstripping government capacity, exacerbated by budget constraints and new regulations that hinder the swift filling of crucial posts.

Despite these obstacles, it said it had successfully stabilised staffing, unfrozen previously held posts, and prioritised the recruitment of front-line staff alongside strategic redeployment.

The department's 2024/25 Annual Report shows more than 20 million visits and admissions this year. There were 18.7 million primary healthcare contacts, nearly 30000 more HIV tests, and a drop in TB patients lost to followup from 23.1% to 17.8%. The department delivered 5 million chronic medicine parcels and spent 99.6% of its R30.69 billion budget.