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JongaOfficial newsletter of the Western Cape Department of Health

March 2009

KHAYELITSHA SITE B CHC OPENS NEW TRAUMA UNIT

The Western Cape Department of Health recently opened the new Trauma Unit at Khayelitsha Site B Community Health Centre (CHC) to the community of Khayelitsha and its surrounding areas.

The Scarpellini Family, from Rome in Italy, donated R8 million towards the building of a Trauma Unit in Khayelitsha to relieve some of the pressures experienced at health facilities in Khayelitsha. “My family felt that it was vitally important to make this type of medical facilities available to all in our communities. We intend that our donation will ensure that all residents have better access to what we feel is necessary healthcare,” said Riccardo Scarpellini.

The trauma unit at Khayelitsha CHC faces a quadruple burden of disease which includes trauma, alcohol abuse, HIV/Aids and TB, other infectious diseases and chronic diseases of lifestyle. The CHC is the only 24 hour health facility serving patients from the Site B drainage area. The CHC collects patients after hours from the 8-hour CHCs (Michael Mapongwana and Nolungile CHC) in Khayelitsha.

The Khayelitsha population is estimated at over half a million people. Khayelitsha CHC’s average case load is 21 000 – 27 000 patients per month, of which trauma is 30% – 40% (7 000 – 8 000 patients per month).

The family’s Property Investment and Development Company has been in existence for over 40 years. Riccardo Scarpellini, one of the four sons, visited South Africa 25 years ago as a professional windsurfer and was so captivated by the country that he has made it his home. With his experience learnt in the building and development trade in Rome, he successfully heads the company in South Africa.

The Scarpellini family and the Department put their hands together at the opening of the Trauma Unit

The fully equipped Trauma Unit at Site B CHC in Khayelitsha

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FROM THE DESK OF THE MINISTER

Dit is 2009 en verkiesingsjaar. Die datum is 22 April en die een refrein wat u baie van politieke partye gaan hoor is “ons gaan dienslewering verbeter ”. Openbare gesondheidsorg staan seker voor in die ry as dit kom by dienslewering en daarom is ons departement en sy personeel in die voorste linie om na die welstand van ons mense om te sien.

Ek kan egter met ‘n geruste hart sê dat ek nog nie een slapelose nag gehad het oor die diens wat die Wes-Kaapse Departement van Gesondheid aan ons inwoners lewer nie. Wat ek die afgelope paar maande gesien het ten opsigte van pogings om infrastruktuur te verbeter, moderne toerusting, goeie bestuur op alle vlakke, en veral die toewyding waarmee ons gesondheidswerkers ons pasiënte hanteer, maak van my ‘n trotse politieke hoof van hierdie departement. Ons is dankbaar vir die wêreldklas kundigheid in ons midde en moet dit jaloers oppas.

Natuurlik is ons nie volmaak nie en moet ons deurgans na beter streef en oplossings vind vir uitdagings. Ek dink maar net aan die groeiende aantal pasiënte, al hoe meer siektes wat aan slegte leefstyl gekoppel word, dwelm- en alkohol misbruik en geweld. Ons sal oplossings daarvoor moet vind; ons het nie ‘n ander keuse nie.

In his recent Budget vote Minister Trevor Manuel highlighted exactly this when he said that we must focus on causes of disease and must more aggressively combat the causes of ill health. Once again our department is one step ahead and has already done groundbreaking work in this regard with our “Western Cape Burden of Disease Reduction Project” that has identified the factors that drive disease and ill health and how to address them. We can play a leading role in this regard and share our knowledge and expertise with our colleagues in other provinces.

The other good news is that Minister Manuel has set aside R3 billion for occupation-specific dispensations for doctors, dentists, pharmacists and EMS workers. This was long overdue and is a well deserved benefit for our hardworking health professionals and I trust that the National Department of Health will implement this soon.

May 2009 be another good year for you; full of challenges and successes, maybe with promotion and a bonus, and with the satisfaction that you are making a difference in the lives of poor and sick people. Never get blasé and don’t ask what the Department can do for you – you are the Department of Health!

MARIUS FRANSMANMINISTER OF HEALTH IN THE WESTERN CAPE

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MESSAGE FROM THE HOD TO STAFF

Providing quality health services that satisfies the expectations of the people we serve, will in the best of times, always be a challenge whether it be in the public or the private sector. The challenge to do this in the public sector is formidable when one considers the numbers of people that are dependent on the health services provided by the Western Cape Department of Health and the wide variety of complaints which they present to our clinics, community health centres and hospitals.

As an organisation in the public sector we do not measure success as the “bottom line” of profit on the company balance sheet or dividends paid to our shareholders as is the case in the private sector.

Nevertheless as I have said before in this newsletter, the “bottom line profit” is the quality of the services that we provide and the levels of patient satisfaction that we achieve. Whilst as a department we may be the only province in the country currently not projecting to overspend in the current financial year and as praiseworthy as that may be in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), if we are unable to begin to address the quality of the services we provide we cannot claim to be successful as a provincial department of health. Whilst we may achieve numerical targets in terms of numbers of patients seen; numbers of patients treated for specific medical conditions or numbers of students granted bursaries in terms of our annual performance plan; unless we to begin to meet the expectations of our clients we cannot claim success.

The need for health services continues to outstrip the available resources for health care in the Western Cape and will do so for the foreseeable future. The challenge for all of us, accepting this as a given, is what can we do to begin to address issues of quality. Firstly I am convinced we must be honest with our clients in terms of what we can deliver. A person attending a busy clinic, hospital casualty or pharmacy will be expected to wait but do we inform that person how long they will have to wait and is that period reasonable?

If persons have to wait for several hours for service but they are aware that they will have to wait and for how long and are sure that they will be courteously treated by staff; will receive the correct advice from a competent health professional and the medicine that they require, their perception of the service will be different from when they wait fruitlessly in a queue for an interminable time and leave without receiving the medicine that they need. This is the challenge that all staff from the manager to the nurse and from the doctor to the admission clerk must accept. It is easy to blame someone else for what we see around us that is not as we would have it, but a much greater challenge at a personal level is to ensure that each and everyone of us takes responsibility for the quality of the service that we provide.

My call to all of the over 27000 staff members of the Western Cape Department of Health is to make 2009 a year in which we focus on doing what we do better. We must all put ourselves in the shoes of the client. When the clerk at the clinic registers a person onto the Primary Health Information System he should speak to that person as if she is his mother and when the nurse responds to the call of a patient in ward she should respond to the patient as if it was her best friend. If we all did this I firmly believe that the quality of the health service would dramatically improve. When we use equipment or drive a state vehicle available in the health services use it as carefully as if it were our own.

My appeal in 2009 to all staff is to think about how you can improve the health service and then just to do it. In the words of President Obama of the United States of America, if we as individuals and all 27000 staff as a group adopt that philosophy then “Yes we can!”

PROFESSOR CRAIG HOUSEHAMHEAD HEALTH: WESTERN CAPE

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NATIONAL BUDGET SPEECH 2009/10Finance Minister Trevor Manuel recently presented his annual national budget speech at Parliament. The Department of Health is to receive R17 billion, of which about R3 billion will be for occupation-specific dispensations for doctors, dentists, pharmacists and Emergency Medical Services workers. R3.96 billion will be used to fight HIV/Aids, R620 million for non-communicable diseases and R21 million for Tuberculosis (TB). R468 million is to be spent in the medium term on TB treatment, with the aim of increas-ing the cure rate to 70% in 2011/12. Owing to the cholera outbreak, the communicable diseases budget increased from R8.4 million to R60.9 million.

In his speech, Minister Manuel said that thirty-one hospitals were under construction. More hospitals are to be built and salary levels of some key medical staff will be increased. There is also a focus on health facilities, health services and more aggressive combating of the causes of ill health.

INTETHO KAZWELONKE MALUNGA NOHLAHLO LWABIWO MALI LUKA-2009/10

NASIONALE BEGROTINGSREDE 2009/10

Die Minister van Finansies, mnr. Trevor Manuel, het onlangs sy jaarlikse nasionale begrotingsrede aan die Parlement voorgelê. Die Departement van Gesondheid sal R17 biljoen ontvang, waarvan ongeveer R3 biljoen toegewys is vir beroepspesifieke toekennings vir dokters, tandartse, aptekers en mediese nooddi-enswerkers. R3,96 biljoen sal gebruik word om MIV/VIGS te bestry, R620 miljoen vir nie-kommunikatiewe siektes en R21 miljoen vir tuberkulose (TB). Oor die medium-termyn sal R468 miljoen op TB-behandeling bestee word, met die doel om die herstelkoers tot 70% in 2011/12 te verhoog. Weens die cholera verspre-iding is die begroting vir oordraagbare siektes van R8,4 miljoen tot R60,9 miljoen vermeerder.

Minister Manuel het in sy toespraak genoem dat daar tans 31 hospitale gebou word. Meer hospitale sal gebou word en die salarisvlakke van sekere kern mediese personeel sal verhoog word. Daar sal ook gefokus word op gesondheidsfasiliteite, gesondheidsdienste en die meer agressiewe bekamping van siekte-oorsake.

UMphathiswa wezeMali uTrevor Manuel kutsha nje wenze intetho yakhe ePalamente malunga nohlahlo lwabiwo-mali luka-2009/10. ISebe lezeMpilo liza kufumana iibhiloyoni ezingama-R17, kanti malunga neebhiliyoni ezi-R3 ziya kubekelwa bucala kusenzelwa ukuze isetyenziswe ngoogqirha kwizinto ezithile ezinjengokukhutshwa kwamazinyo, iikhemisti, kunye nabasebenzi benkonzo ezingxamisekileyo.

Iibhiliyoni eziyi-R3.96 ziya kusetyenziselwa ukulwa ugawulayo nentsholongwane yakhe, zize iibhiliyoni eziyi-R620 zenzelwe izifo ezingosuleliyo, nama-R21 esigidi esenzelwe isifo sephepha. Isigidi esingange-R468 siya kusetyenziswa kwixesha eliphakathi kunyango lwesifo sephepha, ngenjongo yokwandisa izinga lonyango liyokutsho kuma-70% ngo-2011/12. Ngenxa yokuqhambuka kwesifo sekholera, imali elung-iselelwe izifo iye yongezwa ukusuka kwizigidi ezingama-R8.4 ukuya kuma-R60.6 ezigidi.

UMphathiswa uManuel kwintetho yakhe uthe izibhedle ezingamashumi amathathu ananye ziyakhiwa. Ezinye izibhedlele zisezakwakhiwa kananjalo imivuzo yabasebenzi abathile bezonyango iya kunyuswa. Kukho ukubazwa kweliso kumaziko empilo, kwiinkonzo zempilo ingakumbi nangakumbi kwizinto ezibangela ukugula.

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NEW AMBULANCES FOR FESTIVE SEASON

The festive season holidays inevitably means more road accidents and incidents needing medical assistance which occur within the Province. This causes an increase in the workload of the Department of Health’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and resources with various fatalities occurring simultaneously.

In the lead up to the festive season, the Head of the Department of Health in the Western Cape, Professor Craig Househam, showcased EMS Vehicles which were deployed on provincial roads to provide the much needed emergency services which are sometimes the difference between life and death.

The Department of Health is responsible for providing every patient with Emergency Care. We also have the huge responsibility of providing healthcare services to 3,9m people (73%) who depend solely on public health services. These responsibilities increase as thou-sands of people visit our province for the festive season holidays. The increase in numbers puts a dent on our infrastructural and human resources.

No staff members assigned to EMS Vehicles were on leave during the festive season period. These brave and courageous men and women who have made it their calling in life to save the lives of others and provide emergency medical services, sometimes under the most trying circumstances and in the remotest locations of our vast province, are dearly thanked and appreciated.

Approximately 83 new vehicles were converted into upgraded EMS Vehicles for the festive season at an investment of R350 000 per unit. Thirty Toyota Quantum vehicles were converted and completed for delivery to rural areas within the Western Cape in December. Fifty-three Volkswagen Crafter vehicles were completed and delivered to various EMS stations at R400 000 per unit. All overheads for the upgrading of the vehicles were funded by the Provincial Government.

These vehicles are equipped with:• Two stretchers per ambulance (FERNO MODEL 19)• Oxygen Administration• Nitrous Oxide Administration• Head Blocks• Spider Harness• Trauma Board/Scoop• Cervical Collars• Kendrick Extrication Device• Chair Stretcher• Nato Stretcher• Bag Valve Masks• Suction Units• Defibrillator/AED

The challenge to look after the needs of those who desperately need help is always a challenge particularly in the Cape Metropolitan area where the majority of the population resides. We appeal to our residents and our visitors not to drink and drive; drive carefully; rest when tired; ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and keep a safe following distance. These are the major contributors to road accidents.

An interior view of the converted vehicles.

EMS staff at a completely upgraded vehicle.

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GOOD HOPE CHC RELOCATED TO ALBOW GARDENS CLINIC

Good Hope Community Health Centre (CHC) previously known as Brooklyn Day Hospital, moved its staff and services to the Albow Gardens Clinic in Koeberg Road, Brooklyn. Situated in the Communicare building in Ysterplaat for the last 20 years, the CHC now functions from a new, purpose-built facility.

The facility houses staff from the Western Cape Department of Health and the City of Cape Town. Clients who previously attended the Good Hope CHC are now welcomed at Albow Gardens Clinic.

This is a win-win move for the staff and patients. The patients now enjoy a ‘one-stop-shop’ with all the health services being offered under one roof.

The move has the following advantages:• Co-operative governance arrangements between the Provincial Government of the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town;• Improved access to public transport;• Modern infrastructure which caters for more parking and an improved patient flow;• Comprehensive services including an emergency unit, paediatrician, adult curative services, ART, Chronic Dispensing Unit, pharmacy, etc;• Tuberculosis (TB) detection and treatment is consolidated into a TB unit with excellent infection control;• Information technology; and• Planned service expansion in the near future.

The reception area is more spacious, the building more modern and wheelchair friendly. The staff enjoy the computerised services and more space with much larger preparation- and clinic club rooms. Both the Trauma Unit and the TB rooms have been purpose built.

OPENING OF NEWLY REFURBISHED SURGICAL WARD AT RED CROSS WAR MEMORIAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Marius Fransman, Minister of Health in the Western Cape, recently opened the newly refurbished surgical ward; D2 at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. Ward D2 is the fifth refurbished ward to be opened at the hospital. Other wards include the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward, Trauma ward, ward E1 and ward E2.

The opening of ward D2 comes after the commitment made by the Western Cape Department of Health to renovate one ward per year. This commitment is in line with the Department’s vision of providing afford-able and quality health care facilities for all and also allowing employees to work in an enabling environ-ment. Ward D2 is one of the busiest wards in the hospital, with approximately 220 admissions per month. It consists of 28 beds and is divided into cubicles. The cubicles include provision for high care, isolation facilities, neonatal care and urology services. Admissions in this ward include: • ‘Cold’ elective cases for planned surgery or investigation;• ‘Hot’ emergency cases for emergency surgery;• Acute admissions for treatment, observation and possible later surgery; and• Day case admissions for same day surgery and discharge.

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SMILE WEEK AT TYGERBERG HOSPITAL

The Smile Foundation, known for performing life-changing surgery on children with facial abnormalities such as cleft palates, now offers their support in Cape Town.

For the first time in the history of the Smile Foundation, a Smile Week was held at Tygerberg Hospital. More than 35 children walked into 2009 with a beautiful smile, a facial expression they were never able to communicate through before.

During January, the Smile Foundation, together with the Tygerberg Hospital and sponsor, AMADE, operated solely on children with cleft lips and palates. The Tygerberg Hospital boasts highly qualified surgeons with a vast amount of experience in cleft lips and palate procedures.

As the Cape Town Smile Weeks gain momentum throughout 2009, the Smile Foundation is hoping to expand their service to include surgery on children with any facial anomaly, including cranial remodelling, burn scar revision and ear and nose reconstruction.

The Smile experience is about meaningfully connecting people to bring about new opportunities and new futures, with the end-result being new lives.

Dr Andre Muller, Smile Foundation funder Ms Kerish-nie Naicker and Smile Foundation representative Ms Sandy Green.

CHRONIC CARE OUTREACH AT RAVENSMEAD CHC

Chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, hypertension, asthma, epilepsy, stroke, renal disease, cancer, lung disease and diabetes are often inherited, but many lifestyle and environmental factors such as smoking, an inappropriate diet, lack of exercise and heavy alcohol consumption are known to increase risks significantly.

As part of Chronic Care Month, the staff and management of Ravensmead Community Health Centre (CHC) hosted an outreach to chronic care patients of Ravensmead and its surrounding areas at the Ravensmead Multi Purpose Centre during November 2008.

Themed “Taking charge, hypertension a disease of life-style”, the event comprised of both motivational and educational talks relating to the management of chronic illnesses and living a healthy lifestyle.

The CHC renders services to a large number of elderly patients where 85% of this population suffers from severe hypertension, which may lead to blindness, stroke, angina heart and sometimes death. Knowing the impact this lifestyle disease has on the population, the Western Cape Department of Health utilised Chronic Care Month in November 2008 to reach out to the community of Ravensmead.

Besides early diagnosis, management and harmful reduction, a very important aspect of health care is aimed at prevention of illness and promotion of healthy behaviour. Most of these illnesses are long-term and while many cannot be cured, they can be effectively controlled.

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EMS HEALTH WORKERS HONOURED

The Department of Health in the Western Cape hosted the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Awards for the second time at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The awards honour dedicated emergency medical services personnel for their contribution and critical role in the health-care industry. “Everyday emergency care personnel in the Western Cape respond to people with illnesses and injuries under challenging and sometimes even dangerous circumstances. The Department of Health acknowledges the personal sacrifice, commitment, passion and professionalism shown by these people.” said Dr Cleeve Robertson, Head of EMS in the Western Cape. The EMS Awards event was established to raise awareness of the services and to salute the efforts of staff in the care that is provided to the public. The theme of the event, “Circle of Life” recognises that partnerships are an essential part of the healthcare industry in South Africa. Everyone is a link in the chain and contributes towards life and health of the community, EMS teams, the supportive families and spouses of EMS personnel, the Department of Health, the private sector and all citizens. The Emergency Medical Services Awards initiative accordingly provides the Department of Health with opportuni-ties to strengthen partnerships with the private sector in the West-ern Cape. The main sponsor of this initiative was Metropolitan Health Group (MHG). “MHG is proud to be part of such an important community initiative,” said Kusile Mthunzi-Hairwadzi, Head of Corporate Affairs. “Our company is indeed pleased to acknowledge and honour the work of the many unsung heroes of the emergency medical services. They deserve our thanks and appreciation for their hard work, often going beyond the call of duty to perform extraordinary acts of bravery and courage. We salute them!” she concluded. Other donors included Medi-Clinic and ER24. In a speech read on his behalf, Marius Fransman, the Western Cape Minister of Health said: “Our vision is to pro-vide equal access to quality health care to the 3,9m people in the Western Cape who solely depend on public health care. This huge responsibility lies on the shoulders of men and women who hardly get recognition for the sterling work they are doing which at most times is the difference between life and death. In the Western Cape we have 47 ambulance stations across the province and six call taking and dispatch centres with a fleet of 205 vehicles. These centres are manned by angels who we depend on during the time of serious need and tonight it is our opportunity to show our collective gratitude to the services they render. Thank you for your commitment to save lives, your compassion to care for the injured and thank you for the tender loving care you show to the most vulnerable in our society.”

“We as a community, need to acknowledge and salute their humanitarian spirit,” Fransman concluded.

Professor Craig Househam (Head of Health in the Western Cape) hands over the Life Time Achievement Award to Petrus van Rooyen.

Soli Philander, MC for the EMS Awards, amuses guests at the awards ceremony in his complimentary EMS jacket.

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WESTERN CAPE LAUNCHES PROVINCIAL HEALTH RESEARCH COMMITTEE

The Western Cape Department of Health launched its long awaited Provincial Health Research Committee (PHRC) in December 2008. This Province’s and other provincial PRHCs are in keeping with what is proposed in the National Health Research Policy of 2001, which serves as a framework for coordination and management of research in South Africa.

PHRCs are seen as appropriate structures through which the National Department of Health can liaise with its provincial counterparts with regard to health research issues. The proposed terms of reference for PHRCs were drafted in 2004 in relation to the National Research Committee and the National Ethics Research Council. These two bodies are established in section 69 and 72, respectively, of the National Health Act, Act No. 61 of 2003. The main aim of the bodies is to regulate the research activities and to strengthen research capacity in the provinces. Their membership includes academics and community stakeholders.

One of the key objectives of the Western Cape PHRC is to identify provincial health research priorities and, through interaction with all research stakeholders conducting research within the Province, strive to ensure that research activities are largely directed towards the greatest provincial health needs. The MEC for Health in the Western Cape Marius Fransman launched the committee by officially appointing its members.

A superficial analysis of our database shows that in 2008, 34% of research was in the area of HIV/AIDS; 15% was TB research and 26% looked at health service delivery and access to services. Furthermore most of the research happens in the Metro region. “Although we realise that these are key areas for research, we would also like to see more research being channelled into other aspects of the Burden of Disease and also in other geographical areas”, said Mr Fransman.

The challenge for this committee is to ensure that there is a research agenda for the Province that addresses the major components of the Burden of Disease and also focuses on other geographical areas. Mr Fransman further said that research would not only have to deal with finding out about biological risk factors but also the social determinants of health such as poverty, housing, alcohol and other healthy lifestyle issues.

The committee is chaired by Professor Jimmy Volmink, the Deputy Dean of Research at the University of Stellenbosch, and includes senior research academics from all Western Cape universities and research institutions, as well as representatives from the Provincial Department of Health and the City of Cape Town. Secretariat and administrative support is provided by the Western Cape Department of Health.

The Head of Department of the Western Cape Department of Health, Professor Craig Househam said: “I hereby commit my office to providing the necessary leadership and oversight support to the establishment of a Provincial Health Research Committee whose tasks are intended to achieve collaboration with all our partners in ensuring that health service delivery efforts are informed by empirical evidence that forms the foundation for decision making, healthcare planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation activities that translate into a positive impact on the improved quality of care and health status for the people of Western Cape”.

The members of the Western Cape Provincial Health Research Committee (PHRC) include:Dr Prof Jimmy Volmink - University of Stellenbosch Representative (Chairperson); Mr Jimmy Ledwaba - Chief Directorate: Health Programmes; Dr Tracey Naledi (Secretariat); Dr Helene Visser - The City of Cape Town; Mr Koena Nkoko - Comprehensive Health Programmes; Dr Unati Mahlati - HIV/AIDS/TB; Ms Zanele Mazwi - Community Based Services; CMO from Westcoast - Rural Representative; Prof Dhiro Gihwala - Cape Peninsula University of Technology Representative; Health Systems Trust Representative; Dr Stephen Fourie - Coordinating Clinician Representative; Prof Rodney Ehrlich - University of Cape Town Representative; Dr Debbie Jackson - University of the Western Cape Representative; Dr Mark Tomlinson - Medical Research Council Representative and Prof Thomas Rehle - Human Science Research Council (Western Cape Office Representative).

Members of the Western Cape PHRC at the launch.

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WHO GUIDELINES ON THE PROVISION OF MANUAL WHEELCHAIRS IN LESS RESOURCED SETTINGS

On 12 December 2008, the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre (WCRC) for persons with physical disabilities celebrated the launch of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines on the provision of manual wheelchairs in less resourced settings. The document was introduced on 27 August 2008, in Quebec, Canada.

The wheelchair is one of the most commonly used assistive devices for enhancing the personal mobility of persons with disabilities. An estimated 1% of the world’s population, or just over 65 million people, need a wheelchair. Providing wheelchairs that are appropriate, well-designed and fitted not only enhances mobility, but also opens up a world of education, work and social life for those in need of such support.

The event was aimed to raise awareness regarding the achievements and developments in the rehabilitation field, as well as service and legal implications for the Department of Health. Products tested and developed for rural South Africa were also showcased at the event.

The Department of Health was honoured to be involved in such a huge achievement. By developing such an effective system of wheelchair provision, Member States support the implementa-tion of the Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities and the May 2005 World Heath Assembly resolutions A58/23 Disability.

Chief Physiotherapist at the WCRC, Elsje Scheffer, is one of the two South Africans who contributed to the establishment of the final WHO Guidelines. Furthermore, the WCRC is listed as one of only six training centres in the world for the training of wheelchair related services.

Ralph Williams climbs down stairs at the WCRC with the new wheelchair.

TYGERBERG CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL CHRISTMAS PARTY

Tygerberg Children’s Hospital recently hosted their annual Christmas party for approximately 400 children. These children come from the surrounding communities and have been inpatients or outpatients at the hospital. Various donors came aboard to make the day memorable and enjoyable.

The day comprised of various activities including face painting, a puppet show, and a colouring-in competition. Father Christmas’ arrival on a fire truck was the highlight of the day. Each child received a gift, which was generously sponsored by various donors. The party was also attended by the Deputy Mayor of Cape Town, Grant Haskin.

A clown entertained the children with shaped balloons.

The doctors were dressed for the occasion.

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TYGERBEAR CARE CENTRE OPENS

The Survivor Celebration is annually organised in December for more than 500 children and their families, who have survived a trauma. Each incident not only influences the child, but also his/her family, friends and the community in general.

Our goal with this celebration was to give those challenged by trauma an opportunity to celebrate their courage, but also to remember those who during the year passed away and are no longer with us. The celebration included an entertainment programme, various activities, refreshments and the handing out of gifts.

Every year the theme varies from a concert, to a circus show, to an outing to a cinema. For some of them it is their first true experience of childhood, and unfortunately, to some of them, also their last. The most recent Survivor Celebration coincided with the opening of our Phase 3 TygerBear Care Centre.

The theme for December 2008 was focussed on “I am your child”. “We as a community and nation need to take responsibility for each of our children, be aware of them and care for them as though they were our own,” said Mrs Manette de Jager, founder of the TygerBear Foundation.

The TygerBear mascots entertained all the guests.

OPENING OF CHILL ROOM FOR TEENAGERS

Tygerberg Hospital recently opened a “Chill Room” for HIV teenagers. This forms part of the Joshua Project, which was initiated by Mrs Riley and other generous sponsors. Mrs Riley, who adopted the Tygerberg Children’s Hospital, is planning more projects for the hospital, tackling one ward at a time. The aim of the project is to create a “Chill Room”, where HIV teenagers can relax and be taught life skills in a new environment. The room is equipped with a television, a Play Station 2 as well as other games including Monopoly and dominoes.The uncut ribbon at the opening of the

Chill Room.

WORLD DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Aletta de Witt from the Directorate Information Management, recently represented South Africa at the World Promotions Inc. International Dance Competition in the Bahamas. South Africa took part in the World Dance Council (WDC) Pro-Am competition on 08 February 2009 as part of the International competition in three different age categories. The Pro-Am means competition is when the student dances with his/her teacher who is the professional. This is different from professional and amateur dancing.

“This is the third year that South Africa competed in the WDC Pro-Am competition and the first year that we won medals. I obtained the silver medal in the C-age category for Latin American dancing. This was the highest achievement for the country,” said Aletta de Witt.

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The electronic version of the newsletter is available on our website: www.pawcnet.gov.za/health. Feel free to forward your comment to Ethne Julius: ejulius@pgwc.gov.za or contact the Communications Directorate at (021) 483 3563.

CLEFT LIP AND PALATE CLINIC CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

The Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital recently celebrated 50 years of life-changing existence. The clinic was founded by a plastic surgeon, David Davies and a speech therapist, Dianna Whiting in 1958. They led the clinic for 21 and 25 years respectively. The clinic has for the past 50 years, helped many patients from all over South Africa by offering world class quality health care.

This clinic is the only one of its kind in South Africa that meets the World Health Organization requirements in relation to the services it offers. The services offered by the clinic include: neonatal emotional support and professional advice, neonatal nursing, surgery, orthodontic/orthopedic treatment, speech and language therapy, ear, nose and throat care, clinical genetics and emotional support for growing children and parents as well as dental care and neonatal register.

The clinic performs approximately 45-50 primary surgeries and about 20 secondary surgeries annually. About 20% of the primary surgeries are on patients with isolated cleft lips. One-third of the primary surgeries are on patients with cleft lip and palate and the remainder are on patients with isolated cleft palates.

The dental clinic provides routine dental treatment for 20 patients per month. Active orthodontic treatment is provided for approximately 40 patients per year, with a separate 25 per month, monitored for growth and development.

A multidisciplinary team of specialists provides the care in this clinic and members of the team have special training in cleft care. The clinic functions an out patients department every Thursday morning in the out-pa-tients department at the hospital.

NEW BEGINNING - ISIQUALO STEP-DOWN FACILITY

The Western Cape Department of Health’s Associated Psychiatric Hospitals (APH), opened two new step-down facilities including the William Slater House, and Stikland House “New Beginning - Isiqualo” which was formally launched in December 2008.

Both of these step-down facilities provide rehabilitation services and serve as a cushion between hospital and community, for people with mental illnesses. At these facilities, patients who are well enough to be discharged from hospital, but not yet able to manage without direct supervision are taught basic life skills and rehabili-tated to go back into the community. Patients will live at Stikland House for between six and nine months.

Moving patients who are well enough, into the two step-down facilities, relieves some of the pressure on full acute beds in psychiatric hospitals. The new services provided at the facilities also supplements the Assertive Community Teams (ACT) service for high frequency service users.

Other benefits and objectives include: • Education and support for patients and family regarding the illness, as well as the importance of treatment. • Stimulating the patients to take responsibility for self care. • Opportunities to explore creative talents and learn activity of choice. • Addressing social skill requirements, within the community of the residence.

Full time key workers are always available at the two facilities to assist patients through the process.