Western Cape announces emergency transport plan for vulnerable patients after storms

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has implemented contingency transport measures to ensure vulnerable patients in the Central Karoo can continue accessing specialist healthcare after severe storm damage disrupted major road links across the province.

The emergency arrangements come after widespread flooding and infrastructure damage in May left critical routes, including Meiringspoort and Uniondale Pass, closed for repairs.

According to Weekend Argus, the closures have significantly affected HealthNET, the province's non-emergency patient transport service, which relies on those roads to transport patients to George Regional Hospital for specialist consultations and procedures.

To maintain access to care, HealthNET teams have been forced to use substantially longer alternative routes to reach George. In cases where the diversions are not practical, patients are being redirected to Worcester Hospital for treatment.

The provincial government has also allocated additional funding to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the Garden Route District to help manage the increased operational demands created by the transport disruptions.

During a visit to EMS teams in George this week, Western Cape MEC for Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger commended staff for continuing to deliver services under difficult conditions.

"Our EMS teams served communities with courage and exceptional dedication during the severe weather events, conducting multiple search and rescue operations while continuing to deliver critical services under challenging circumstances," Wenger said.

The storm damage has contributed to an estimated R9 billion infrastructure challenge across the province, with repair work continuing on several damaged roads and transport corridors.

Western Cape MEC for Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers said efforts to restore affected routes were under way, but warned that repairs to some key roads would take time.

"Our teams are working tirelessly with engineers and contractors to assess and repair damaged infrastructure as quickly and safely as possible," Simmers said.

"Meiringspoort is a strategic route and its restoration is critical, but it was severely damaged and technical assessments and eventual repair work will take time."

Simmers urged residents and road users to adhere to all road closure notices and make use of designated alternative routes while repair work continues.

Wenger acknowledged the impact that longer travel times and altered transport arrangements are having on patients and their families.

"We understand that longer travel times and changes to transport arrangements may be frustrating and inconvenient for patients who already have to manage the stress of medical appointments and treatment," she said.

"Our focus remains on ensuring that patients continue to receive safe, reliable access to healthcare services."