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Western Cape Government

11 May 2022 Notice: Standing Committee on Transport and Public Works: Public hearings on the Western Cape Provincial Transport Infrastructure Bill

To:

  • All Mayors, Municipalities of the Province of the Western Cape
  • All Speakers, Municipalities of the Province of the Western Cape
  • All Municipal Managers, Municipalities of the Province of the Western Cape

STANDING COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT AND PUBLIC WORKS: PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE BILL [B 5–2021]

The Standing Committee on Transport and Public Works will be facilitating public hearings on the Western Cape Provincial Transport Infrastructure Bill as indicated below.

The purpose of the Bill is to provide for the planning, declaration, design, construction, maintenance, control, management, regulation, upgrading and rehabilitation of roads, railway lines and related transport infrastructure in the Western Cape; and for matters connected therewith.

It would sincerely be appreciated if you would extend this invitation to all your Councillors in order for them to inform their ward committee members and the wider public accordingly. It would also be appreciated if you could forward this notification to any other person or institution that, in your opinion, may have an interest in the Bill. See attached advertisement.

Therefore, you are hereby cordially invited to submit written submissions as well as requests to make verbal presentations on such written submissions to the Standing Committee on Transport and Public Works for the attention of the Procedural Officer Mr Johan Coetzee at email: jcoetzee@wcpp.gov.za.

Interested persons and organisations who intend to submit an oral submission may do so by WhatsApp as a voice note (cell phone number 064 763 9034). Should you wish to appear before the Committee to make oral presentations you can direct your request to Mr Johan Coetzee (Tel: 021 487 1717, e-mail: jcoetzee@wcpp.gov.za or on the WhatsApp), which must include full contact details (name, email address and contact number), to the Procedural Officer.

Copies of the Western Cape Provincial Transport Infrastructure Bill will be available on request and an electronic version of the Bill is available on the Western Cape Provincial Parliament’s website (www.wcpp.gov.za).

Yours sincerely,

MR D AMERICA, MPP
CHAIRPERSON: STANDING COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT AND PUBLIC WORKS

For more information, download the following documents:

Issued: Western Cape Provincial Parliament

ENDS

5 May 2022 Media Release: Have you washed your hands today?

Media Release: Have you washed your hands today?

For Immediate Release
5 May 2022

That is a good question to ask yourself and your loved ones to remind us all of the importance of clean hands.

COVID-19 has once again shown us the importance of hand hygiene as a non-pharmaceutical intervention of preventing the spread of germs.

Washing hands can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory, diarrheal and a range of other infections from one person to the next.

World Hand Hygiene Day is commemorated annually on 5 May. The slogan this year is: Unite for safety: clean your hands.

The World Health Organization explains that when a health facility’s ‘quality and safety climate or culture’ values hand hygiene and infection prevention and control (IPC), this results in both patients and health workers feeling protected and cared for.

Western Cape Government Health and Wellness facilities prioritise hygiene at all levels through strict IPC policies. Hand hygiene is also promoted in communities during outreaches and visits to crèches and schools.

Nathan Jacobs works as environmental health practitioner for Western Cape Government Health and Wellness, and experiences first-hand the impact of hand hygiene . ‘Hand hygiene is important as a non-pharmaceutical intervention to prevent the spread of disease. I see first-hand what important role hand hygiene has is in our places of work, schools and public spaces. We can prevent the spread of many diseases by keeping our hands clean.’

Washing hands with normal soap and running water works best. If access to a shared tap is available, the following method can be used:  

  • Make a hole in the lid of an empty plastic bottle
  • Carefully fill the bottle with water
  • Screw on the cap with a hole in it
  • Wet hands with a little bit of water
  • Apply soap and rub all over your hands to create a foam/lather
  • Use the remaining water to rinse through the hole in the lid of the bottle.

Germs can spread from other people or surfaces when you:  

  • Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands
  • Touch a contaminated surface or objects
  • Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into your hands and then touch other people’s hands or common objects.

For more information visit: www.westerncape.gov.za

Caption: Nathan encourages everyone to wash their hands regularly.

END

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health

Tel: 044 813 1831
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

19 March 2022 Media Release: Swarms Locusts (grasshoppers)  tearing through the Karoo

Media Release: Swarms Locusts (grasshoppers)  tearing through the Karoo

For immediate release
19 March 2022

On Monday, 14 March 2022, large swarms of locusts descended onto the Klein Karoo region. Reports of locust swarms around the Calitzdorp area was received by the Garden Route District Municipality Disaster Management Centre (GRDM DMC) on Monday, 15th March 2022. Later, it was confirmed that farmers in Kruisvallei and Buffelskloof were seeing swarms of locusts flying from west to east along the foothills of the Swartberg mountains.

Over the past year, the increase of locust activity has become apparent, which resulted in the Department of Agriculture conducting several pesticide spraying actions in the Northern- as well as the Eastern Cape and the Central Karoo. However, historically these locust plagues were confined to the Northern parts of the Western Cape as well as the  Central Karoo district.  Therefore, most pro-active Department Locust Officers (DLO’s) training was done in the Central Karoo District Municipal area.

The mandate to deal with locusts lies with the National Department of Agriculture due to locusts being a migratory pest.

On Wednesday, 16 March 2022, the Garden Route District Municipality Disaster Management (GRDM DM) activated its Joint Operation Centre (JOC) in response to the locust infestation.  A JOC meeting was held in response to the Locust Infestation affecting parts of Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn.   Various stakeholders attended the JOC, including the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality Manager of Fire Services & Disaster Management, Agri- Western Cape and the Department of Agriculture Western Cape.

The following concerns were highlighted:

  • That a shortage of chemicals needed to spray the locust infestation causes significant challenges. Currently, there are only 54 000 liters of Decis (a pesticide used for locust control) available in South Africa.
  • Training for locust control has been requested from the National Department of Agriculture and is expected to commence on the 23 March and will take place at a venue identified in Oudtshoorn. Both Kannaland and Oudtshoorn areas will be included in the training.
  • It is challenging to locate the ‘head’ of the swarms, making it difficult to determine the direction they are travelling. Moreover, the swarms move to higher parts of the mountain, making it a challenge to control the swarms without aerial spraying.

According to Agri SA, this is one of the biggest locust swarms in years and, with the assistance of donors and the Department of Agriculture, farmers are trying everything to save crops and ensure food security.

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has made R5 million available immediately to provide support to purchase personal protective equipment, sprayer pumps. pesticides and aerial spraying support to teams combating the outbreak of locust swarms in the Western Cape.  Combating the locust infestation is critical for food security and rural livelihood.

Farmers from the area and organisations who would like to undergo training for locust control are requested to contact Ms Adel Supra-Vertue, Manager from the Oudtshoorn Municipality Fire & Disaster Management Services at 064 125 9227/ 044 203 7810. We also would like to request farmers and residents not to start fires as a measure to kill or deter locusts.  Our Karoo areas are still arid, and these fires may cause runaway fires.

Training for Locust District Officers will take place on the 23rd of March from 09:00 am until 14:00 pm at the De Hoek Mountain resort.  Interested parties are requested to send their names to Mr Lonwabo Luthango at Lonwabo@gardenroute.gov.za or to contact him by cell: 084 881 5853.

Pro-active and re-active actions are coordinated by Me Vuyokazi Mpumlwana from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).  Her contact detail is 084 760 8176.  Other coordinators from the National Department of Locust Control are Dr Ikafeng, who can be contacted at 072 198 9882.

15 March 2022 Media Release: Growth And Development Of The Agricultural Sector In The Garden Route

Media Release: Growth And Development Of The Agricultural Sector In The Garden Route

15 March 2022
For immediate release

Clyde Lamberts from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture was invited to speak at the first Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) Forum of 2022 and his focus was on the growth and development strategy of the department for the Garden Route. He opened his comprehensive presentation with the following quote by Allan Savory:

“Agriculture is not crop production as popular belief holds – it’s the production of food and fiber from the world’s land and waters. Without agriculture, it is impossible to have a city, stock market, banks, university, church or army. Agriculture is the foundation of civilization and any stable economy”.  

To put this quote into perspective, Lamberts shared one of the Department’s recent success stories: A farm in Herald was in a dilapidated state due to a lack of interest in purposing the land. A businessman who was passionate about farming bought it, and spent the next five (5) years turning it into a viable business that now produces honeybush and proteas. He is the first black commercial farmer to produce honeybush in the Southern Cape. It is because the Department assisted him that his business was able to create sixteen (16) permanent jobs, with opportunities for an additional twenty (20) seasonal workers.

Before this, in Waboomskraal, the Department assisted another farmer, who became the first black farmer in the area to produce proteas and hops.

Lamberts noted: “When all spheres of government work together in an integrated fashion, these are the type of results we will see”. 

Lamberts listed the activities and services the Department provides to farmers and all other stakeholders as the following:

  • Independent agricultural advice and information
  • Supporting Livestock farmers – Development program. Livestock Forum
  • Performance testing/annual evaluation/ID limitations and opportunities
  • Investigating and implementing new hardy breeds and crossbreeding
  • Investigations in lowering inset cost through conservation agriculture – cover crops
  • Investigations into pasture species for marginal lands
  • Crop production advice and information
  • Niche crops/markets
  • Training

The type of training that is provided includes evidence-based and practice-based farmers’ capacity building. This is done through farmers’ days, demonstrations, peer-to-peer learning, and face-to-face interactions. Since 2018, the department trained 820 beneficiaries and this ranged from vegetable training to farm implement operation training.

The Department has a memorandum of understanding with GRDM and vacant land has been identified that the municipality owns which is conducive for agricultural development opportunities. The Department is researching the potential of commodity processing facilities in the Garden Route, which will be a source of immediate job creation – a game-changer for job creation in the region.

The Department furthermore envisions the building of Agri-Business Platforms for clients where potential products can be processed ready for consumption. Through Conservation/Regenerative agriculture, farmers are encouraged to rehabilitate and look after their own soil to turn it into organic matter that fertilizes with very few chemicals. Trials on livestock projects have yielded very positive results to date, and the global view is that going regenerative holds many financial and ecological benefits.

Agritourism needs to be promoted as it holds several untapped opportunities for the tourism sector. There is a need to compile tour packages to visit farms and processing facilities for both local and international tourism. The Roads Department has a role to play as well, as it must ensure easy access through regular road maintenance and upgrades.

The Department is in the process of revisiting mechanization which would allow for a central point that offers services such as ploughing, for example, as well as repair and maintenance services on farm implements.

Lamberts concluded his presentation by saying that we can be very proud of our district and that the Department is very excited to continue its work in the area.

01 February 2022 Media Release: EXPANSION OF MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME

MEDIA RELEASE:  EXPANSION OF MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME

For Immediate Release
01 February 2022

The Garden Route district has welcomed two additional registered counsellors who are based in Mossel Bay and Bitou subdistricts.

A registered counsellor has an Honours degree in Psychology with a completed internship as well as registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), and are thus highly qualified and equipped in providing preventative and supportive counselling interventions, psycho-education and awareness as well as identification of mental health symptoms and referrals.

‘Although the registered counsellor is a new category of cadre in the Department of Health, they are a welcomed addition to make mental health services more accessible within our communities. One of the goals are to integrate Mental Health services within the Primary Health Care system in order to strengthen the service delivery and make it more accessible within the community,’ said clinical psychologist and programme coordinator, Estelle Crause.

The group of registered counsellors received training in November 2021 on how to facilitate the integration of Mental Health services within the Primary Health Care (PHC) system and on providing a more integrated referral pathway within the PHC. ‘As the awareness and understanding of our role increases, we believe that we will be able to make a significant impact on the service delivery for mental health and this will be a platform for the Registered Counsellors to also be recognised within their category in the mental health context nationally,’ said registered counsellor Carin Olwagen.

 

END

Nadia Ferreira

Principal Communications Officer

Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts

Western Cape Government Health

Tel: 044 813 1831      Caption: Carin Olwagen(Mossel Bay) and Mampe Phoshoko(Bitou).

Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za

Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

15 November 2021 Media Release: Love and warmth – Kangaroo Mother Care

Media Release: Love and warmth – Kangaroo Mother Care

For Immediate Release
15 November 2021

Kangaroo mother care week is celebrated from 15 to 19 November by parents, communities, health professionals, institutions, and organisations internationally to honour mothers and newborn babies, and to appreciate and acknowledge the benefits of kangaroo mother care.

Kangaroo mother care (skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her newborn baby) is an intervention that has been effectively proven to decrease the mortality rate among low weight and preterm newborn babies.

The Western Cape Department of Health has adopted and implemented the kangaroo mother care policy in all healthcare facilities across the Western Cape to decrease the mortality amongst all low-weight births and preterm babies. The Department is constantly, consistently and continuously striving to create awareness and improve all levels, aspects and standards of kangaroo mother care facilities.

Kangaroo mother care consists of four components. Firstly, more skin-to-skin contact between the mother’s chest and baby’s front, from the start of birth, continuously day and night is helpful.

Secondly, direct suckling by the baby from the mother’s breast is all that is needed to ensure that the newborn baby remains healthy.

Thirdly, if ever the mother and her newborn baby require physical, medical, emotional and psychological support to improve their well-being, services and immediate assistance will be provided to them.

Lastly, a mother and her newborn baby can be discharged early in the ‘kangaroo position’ at any gestational age or weight in the event that they are healthy, have the necessary support and the baby is gaining weight from his or her mother’s breast milk.

‘At first I was afraid, but I had to be strong for my baby.’ Those were the words of young mother Bongiwe Witbooi (21) from George whose newborn baby turns three weeks old on Sunday, 21 November. Bongiwe gave birth to her baby girl Akhelethu Witbooi at 7 months on 31 August 2021 at the George Regional Hospital.  Akhelethu weighed 800 g.

‘The medical staff was so helpful and friendly,’ said Bongiwe with the greatest smile on her face. She later explained that the staff in the neonatal unit gave her the hope and courage to not be scared and bond with her newborn baby girl no matter her size.

Dr Ilse Els-Goussard (specialist in Paediatrics and neonatal care) stated that in previous years, newborn babies were only discharged if they weighed more than 2 kg. Today, because of kangaroo mother care, newborn babies are allowed to be discharged at a weight of 1,7 kg. ‘There are many benefits to kangaroo mother care. Short-term benefits ensure that newborn babies get less severe infections because the babies are colonised with the mom’s flora which protects babies against the resistant organisms in the hospital’, said Dr Els-Goussard.

She also states that the long-term benefits is ‘the amazing bond with the mom and the baby that carries through to adulthood’.

According to Dr Els-Goussard, there are babies in full-time kangaroo mother care currently and babies who receive kangaroo mother care during daytime only.

Currently, at George Hospital there are seven full-time kangaroo mother care beds and other intermittent beds to accommodate 10 to 15 babies receiving kangaroo mother care.

‘The most rewarding part of this programme is when the mom takes charge of the small baby and they become equipped with the knowledge, and that’s the reason the unit can send home babies earlier.

Kangaroo care is medicine for the soul’, she said.

Caption: Kangaroo mother care for  Bongiwe Witbooi (21) and baby Akhelethu.

END

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

28 August 2021 Western Cape Media Alert: Uniondale learners to receive construction toolkits as part of Youth Empowerment Programme

Media Alert: Uniondale learners to receive construction toolkits as part of Youth Empowerment Programme

28 August 2021

On Sunday, 29 August 2021, the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements will hand over Construction Toolkits to 8 learners in Uniondale, within the George municipal area.

The event marks the learners’ completion of their theoretical Plumbing Skills training at a TVET college in Cape Town. The Construction Toolkits will assist with the practical training of the programme. The training course is facilitated by the Department, and other stakeholders, through its Youth Empowerment Programme, with a budget of R3 million.

Western Cape Human Settlements Minister Tertuis Simmers will hand over Construction Toolkits to the learners to assist with completion of their practical training part of the course. The learners will also receive a stipend for work done on various projects, such as the George Municipality’s War on Leaks project. The Department is proud of the learners’ achievements thus far and trusts that the equipment will greatly facilitate the learners’ completion of the programme.

These handovers shows the Western Cape Government’s commitment to empower young people across this province. This is part of the reason why for the 2021/22 financial year, we’ve once again ensured that not less than 50% of our Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG) is allocated to Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s).

All media is invited.

Date: Sunday, 29 August 2021
Time: 11h00 – 12h30
Venue: Uniondale Golf Course, Vootrekker Street, Uniondale

For media enquiries contact:

Marcellino Martin

Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers
Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za 
021 483 3397 (o)
082 721 3362 (m)

or

Mr Nathan Adriaanse

Director: Communication and Stakeholder Relations
Nathan.Adriaanse@westerncape.gov.za 
Tel: 021 483 2868
Cell: 083 263 1720

3 March 2021 Media Release: First healthcare workers to be vaccinated in Garden Route

Media Release: First healthcare workers to be vaccinated in Garden Route

For Immediate Release
3 March 2021

The first group of healthcare workers from both the public and private sector in the Garden Route District will receive their Johnson & Johnson’s vaccinations today, 3 March 2021.

EMS Sub-district Manager for George, Cedric Yantolo (56) received the first vaccination at the launch of the George Hospital vaccination site. He understands the importance of getting the vaccine. “I am the only breadwinner in my family and some of my family members are sickly, so I cannot afford to get sick. So far I have protected myself with the only means available and that is personal protective gear.  I am however now ready for additional protection – the vaccine! I am afraid of needles, so getting this vaccine voluntarily really speaks to my believe in protecting myself and others”, he said.

Administering the vaccine was Carika-Ann Jansen van Vuuren, who is the operational manager for the outpatient department at George Hospital. When asked if she was hesitant about the vaccine: “A little bit but after I did the training, I realized that one can only benefit from the vaccine”.

Second tranche of vaccines  and first batch for Rural

The second batch of vaccines arrived in the province over the weekend. The province has been allocated 13 068 vaccines which will be delivered in two separate batches. Of this, 2 560 will be distributed to the Rural areas.  The Garden Route has received an initial 320 doses for the first week with another batch arriving next week.

Select health staff from the different sub-districts as well as private hospital staff who have registered and have received their voucher and confirmed an appointment with their manager will receive their vaccination this week.

Phased rollout 

The Sisonke implementation study vaccines are being administered over an eight-week period. We estimate that approximately 40% of healthcare workers in the province will be vaccinated in this timeframe with the available vaccines.

 To ensure that we prevent any situation emerging where a non-healthcare worker poses as a healthcare worker during this first phase of this vaccination programme, we require all healthcare workers to show workplace identification, or to provide their Health Professions Council registration number as verification.

Phases 2 and 3 will cover larger numbers of residents and will include other frontline services, people in congregate settings, those at risk due to age or comorbidity, and finally, in phase 3, the general adult population. We are working hard to put all the systems in place to roll out these phases as soon as approved vaccines arrive.

Sequencing of vaccines 

Since we are receiving several deliveries of the vaccine, the Department has introduced sequencing to ensure equitable access, and that the most vulnerable and most at risk of exposure healthcare workers are vaccinated first.

 As we continue to receive batches of vaccines, we commit to continue with vaccination so that all healthcare workers who are willing to be vaccinated get vaccinated.  The private sector will start with hospital staff first as per sequencing thereafter all other private health staff will be vaccinated as per sequencing.

If any health staff member of the private group sector has any questions to please speak to their manager who will need to book their appointment after they have registered and received their voucher.

Register for vaccine 

During phase 1, only healthcare workers who wish to take up vaccination can register on the national electronic system: https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za. Once registered they will be issued with a voucher indicating vaccination site and date to go for the vaccination. Registered healthcare workers are asked to liaise with the relevant person at their workplace to book their appointment after they have received their voucher.

We will inform the public when they can start registering on the system.

Captions

Feature Image: Johny Bruintjies, Marlyn Aries and Irene Maphaza received their vaccinations.

ENDS

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health

Town Clinic,Plettenberg Bay
Tel: 076 379 5423
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za

Media Release: Western Cape Human Settlements Partner with Garden Route District Municipality to accelerate service delivery

Media Release: Western Cape Human Settlements Partner with Garden Route District Municipality to accelerate service delivery

For Immediate Release
19 February 2021

The Western Cape Government has signed a ground-breaking Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), to collaborate on selected human settlements initiatives.

The agreement, which is in line with the Joint District and Metro Approach, seeks to ensure that different levels of government work together to accelerate and enhance service delivery within the respective areas. This is the first of its kind in the Western Cape since district municipalities traditionally do not have any housing mandate. This MoA expires on 31 March 2023.

As part of this MoA, we’ve assisted with the necessary human resources, so that the relevant skills and experience for housing delivery are available within the GRDM.

We are also in the process of assisting the GRDM to apply for level 1 accreditation. This entails placing the authority and responsibility at the point of implementation as a means of accelerating the provision of housing opportunities, through a better coordinated approach to Human Settlements planning and project implementation.

This will consist of:

• Developing credible Housing sector plans;
• Housing management and oversight;
• Beneficiary management; and
• Budget Planning

This MoA will also allow us to address certain challenges that are experienced in housing delivery in the district.

These include:

  • Providing affordable housing opportunities which include Financed Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) market also referred to as “ GAP”. This is for the beneficiaries earning between R3,501 – R22,000, and
  • The issuing of historic tittle deeds for the period 1994 – 2014, which currently has a backlog of 11 589.

In particular, our assessment has indicated that there is a great need for “GAP” housing in this District. The current housing demand database shows that there are 63 879 overall applicants for this District.

The GRDM will therefore assist the Department with accelerating opportunities for those within this market. In addition, those who might qualify for FLISP, but due to a poor credit record is unable to obtain a bond could also be assisted through the Department’s Credit Readiness Programme (CRP).

Our aim is to ensure that more individuals are able to own their homes to ensure security of tenure.

It is important to note that the GRDM will not be replacing the work done by the Municipalities, but will seek to complement, which further strengthens this process.

I’ve communicated previously, and I’d like to reiterate again, that other Districts should engage us, so that similar agreements can be entered into, as it is wholly beneficial to the Western Cape. We would like to see even more of these partnerships in the future.

We believe they are central to our plans to radically accelerate human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient, safe and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society.

As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to working with all spheres of government and relevant stakeholders, as together we are able to ensure that the lives of more people are improved.

 

Media Enquiries:
Marcellino Martin
Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers
Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za
021 483 3397 (o)
082 721 3362 (m)

or

Nathan Adriaanse
Director Communication & Stakeholder Relations
Tell: 021 483 2868
Mobile: 083 2631720
Email: Nathan.Adriaanse@westerncape.gov.za

1 February 2021 Media Release: High Alert for Diarrhoea season

Media Release: High Alert for Diarrhoea season

For Immediate Release
01 February 2021

Summer is in full swing and with it comes the heightened risk of your child contracting diarrhoea.

Four hundred  children under the age of 5 have been treated for diarrhoea without dehydration at health facilities in the Garden Route District from November until end December 2020. A further 105 have been admitted to hospital for treatment. Western Cape Government Health’s annual Paediatric Surge Season (PSS) is from November to end May – a time during which health facilities see an increased number of patients suffering from gastroenteritis.

Staff are on high alert for patients, especially children under the age of five, that show signs of dehydration.  Dehydration, due to gastro, remains one of the main causes of illness and death in children under the age of five years. Facilities have an Oral Hydration Solution (ORS) corner and portable water bags have been distributed to crèches where access to water is limited. There are also fast lanes at facilities for babies and toddlers with diarrhoea.

Causes  and prevention

Diarrhoea is a highly infectious virus that thrives in hot weather, is transmitted by flies and preys on babies and kids. Children who are malnourished, those who have not been immunised and perhaps have other illnesses are far more likely to contract gastro and develop fatal complications as a result.

Some of the leading causes of diarrhoea are dirty water, dirty toilets, unwashed hands, bottle feeding, uncontained waste (illegal dumping), contaminated food and flies. It might not always be possible, but we should always aim to keep our hands, food, cooking utensils and toilets clean. Dustbins must be closed, animal droppings collected and thrown away, and food scrapings, used nappies and sanitary towels put into a plastic bag, knotted securely and thrown into a dustbin.  Remember to wash your hands after completing these tasks.

It is important to maintain a high level of hygiene to ensure that your family is gastro free this season.
Sadly, even with the best hygiene, many will still get gastro. Try the oral rehydration solution to replenish lost body fluids. Take the solution with you should you need to take your child to the clinic so that your child does not dehydrate on the way. Using a clean 1 L bottle, mix 1 L cooled boiled water with ½ a teaspoon of salt and 8 teaspoons of sugar. Mix well.

If your child gets diarrhoea, check them for these signs of dehydration:
•          Dry or sticky mouth
•          Few or no tears when crying
•          Lack of urine, or only a very small amount of dark yellow urine
•          Dry, cool skin
•          Tiredness and irritability
•          Dizziness
•          Headache and stomach ache
•          Thirstiness

More info:
First 1 000 Days:
https://www.westerncape.gov.za/first-1000-days/

END

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health