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This service of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has made it possible for 50 198 patients, who for medical reasons could not use public transport, to attend their specialist outpatient clinics
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CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 28, 2023/ — As an essential part of the emergency ambulance service in the Western Cape, HealthNET (Health Non-Emergency Transport) has made 41 097 passenger trips in the first three months of the year. This service of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has made it possible for 50 198 patients, who for medical reasons could not use public transport, to attend their specialist outpatient clinics at regional and central hospitals, and other special clinics in rural areas.
Over 90 HealthNET vehicles are operating in the province. Patients are booked through a provincial health care facility using an online system that ensures that seats are allocated equitably and that no patients can be overbooked. The discharge of inpatients from hospitals either to home or step-down facilities in the Cape Metro district or rural areas is also an important service in ensuring bed availability in our hospitals. Ensuring patient access to health care is a key goal of HealthNET. Sipho Mbovane, driver at EMS in Caledon, says he enjoys forming the personal connections with the patients he transports four times per week. “Mondays and Fridays are usually the busiest, and my passengers are from Caledon, Villiersdorp, Grabouw and Bot River who often need to be in Cape Town for their appointments or check-ups. I like how they always thank me whenever they have been transported back home safely. This shows that they appreciate the service, which we take pride in delivering.” Over the weekend, EMS responded to 5 480 incidents across the province. Of these incidents, 33% were of a life-threatening nature and most patients were transported to the Tygerberg, Worcester and Groote Schuur Hospitals. Most incidents involved chest pains (887), weapon assaults (780), respiratory complaints (552), obstetric complains (332) and physical assaults (305). With an escort from the South African Police Service (SAPS), our EMS crews also attended to various incidents in the permanent Red Zone neighbourhoods, such as Beacon Valley (38), Tafelsig (39), Hanover Park (25) and Chicago (3). The EMS remains appreciative of the SAPS’ and other law enforcement agencies’ ongoing support, as this helps protect our crews and enables them to care for the most vulnerable patients. We thank our emergency medical responders who continue to work tirelessly to provide ambulance services, special operations, and patient transport to residents in the Western Cape every day. Dial 10177 or 112 from cellphones in case of an emergency. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Government: Department of the Premier.
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Lusaka — African health ministers and partners are calling for increased investment in integrated health services to address the growing burden of severe noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly those affecting women and underserved populations across the region. At a high-level side event during the Seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, delegates emphasized the urgent need for equitable access to prevention, screening, treatment, and rehabilitation across the continuum of care for NCDs. Disparities are especially pronounced in rural areas, where health infrastructure and services remain inadequate. Breast and cervical cancers are among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa—particularly cervical cancer, which is both preventable and treatable. It remains the most common cause of cancer death for women in the region. In 2022, Africa accounted for nearly a quarter (23%) of the 76 000 global cervical cancer deaths. Meanwhile, severe NCDs such as Type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, and heart conditions claim more than half a million lives annually, including among children, adolescents, and young adults in some of the continent’s poorest communities. Inequitable access to health services continues to hinder efforts to reduce this burden. To improve cervical and breast cancer care in the region, urgent investment is needed in leadership, governance, and financing. Strengthening these foundations is critical in the current funding landscape. Advancements in strategic planning, healthcare infrastructure, workforce training, and—most importantly—equitable access to screening, diagnostic, and treatment services are essential. To address these challenges, WHO and its partners showcased successful integrated models such as the Women’s Integrated Care for Cancer Services (WICS), the BEAT Breast Cancer Project, and the PEN-Plus Strategy. WICS strengthens early detection, treatment, and integration of women’s cancer services into primary health care systems in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. The BEAT Breast Cancer Project is a transformative multi-year initiative aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality among women in Tanzania and Ghana through early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment access. “PEN-Plus, WICS and the BEAT Breast Cancer Initiative are models for a new standard of care, rooted in equity, access and health justice. I urge countries to prioritize policies that embed these models into broader health system strengthening, said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa”. Côte d’Ivoire offers a compelling example of progress, combining high HPV vaccination coverage—reaching over three million girls (91.4%)—with WICS-supported community-based screening campaigns to strengthen cervical cancer prevention. In Kenya, cervical cancer screening has been successfully integrated into national health services. “This gathering marks a pivotal moment to accelerate action for breast cancer prevention in Africa. We deeply value the leadership of the Ministries of Health of Ghana and Tanzania, and the steadfast support of the Pfizer Foundation in helping us achieve this milestone. The side event builds momentum for the policy prioritization of women’s cancers, partnerships to strengthen the broader women’s cancer ecosystem, and advance a health-systems approach to breast cancer prevention and management”, said Dr Somesh Kumar, Senior Director, Jhpiego. PEN-Plus expands access to care for severe NCDs at the district hospital level. Since its implementation, 20 countries in Africa have increased access to services for severe NCDs. Over 15 000 people are currently receiving treatment for chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease and Type 1 diabetes through PEN-Plus clinics.
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