The Western Cape government has re-aligned its community-based services to deliver quality care to the people of the Western Cape in rural communities.
Western Cape Government Health’s Rural Districts have shifted their focus of services rendered at community level to align with the Department of Health wellness initiatives.
Community care workers, now known as community health workers (CHW), were previously only tasked with supporting the members of the community through regular (often daily) home visits. Their focus was on giving adherence support, health promotion, prevention and home-based care.
Community health workers now form part of Home- and Community-based Care (HCBC) services, which promote good health and the prevention of ill health by rendering quality home-based healthcare. There is also now a range of other services focusing on increasing wellness, such as:
The CHW will screen clients at houses and crèches and will visit clients at least once a year using a screening tool, concentrating on:
Where needed, the CHW will educate and refer the client for further evaluation and treatment to the nearest health facility/clinic.
Several community health workers have been appointed and are currently trained in the different rural districts.
Overberg District: 249
Cape Winelands District: 369
Eden District: 404
West Coast District: 318
Central Karoo District: 77
Home- and Community-based Care (HCBC) services in the Metro District
The Metro District works within municipal wards and has re-alignied the current services in line with municipal ward boundaries. Non –profit Organisations(NPO) will now take responsibility for the health of the community in its designated area. Each NPO is linked to a Primary Health Care (PHC) facility for support and joint planning of outreach campaigns.
Luyanda Mfeka
Spokesperson to the Western Cape Minister of Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo
Mobile: 076 171 5978
Tel: 021 483 5862
Email: luyanda.mfeka@westerncape.gov.za
Western Cape Government: Health
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za