DESCRIPTION: |
The whole of the Western Cape is served by a single Orthotic and Prosthetic Centre in Pinelands, Cape Town. Orthotic devices are used to optimise functional mobility in a disabled person e.g. shoe inserts, and ankle-foot orthoses, which stabilise the ankle after a stroke. Prosthetic devices, on the other hand, replace a body part after the loss of a limb either by birth or due to an accident. The centre is responsible for providing orthotic and prosthetic services to all the four Western Cape regions excluding the South/Cape Karoo, which has outsourced this service to a private service provider. You have to be referred to the Pinelands centre by either an orthopaedic surgeon/orthopaedic sister/physiotherapist or occupational therapist. Staff from the centre offer outreach programmes at satellite clinics in the various regions once every three months. Callipers are available for people who have polio, neurological disorders, strokes and low muscle tone. |
INSTRUCTIONS: |
People who are physically and mentally disabled must first check to see if there is a service at primary health care level. They will be referred up the line when necessary.First-time visitors to the clinic/secondary or tertiary hospital will be asked to fill out a form and a folder will be opened. Bring your ID book and in the case of a child, the Road to Health Card. You have to be referred to the Pinelands Centre. |
PROVIDED AT: |
These facility categories: |
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GOVERNMENT BODY:
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Department of Health (Provincial Government of the Western Cape) |
PRICE: |
Following Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang's announcement that a free health care policy for people with disabilities would come into operation on July 1, 2003, this service should be free. This covers outpatient visits and admissions to hospitals, and includes disability aids. The free service includes people who have permanent disabilities that have resulted in moderate to severe difficulty in living a normal life. |