Tag: Cape Town

Categories : AddictionTags :

One of Cape Town’s Few Free Rehab Centres has Closed its Doors to Adults

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Alex Green on Pexels

By Matthew Hirsch for GroundUp

The Kensington Treatment Centre, one of few in-patient rehabilitation centres in Cape Town, has stopped accepting adults because of financial constraints.

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) confirmed that the Kensington Treatment Centre no longer takes adults “due to the need to accommodate more children in secure care without any additional funds”.

In the past financial year, the facility had treated 120 people.

The department says it is necessary to focus on youth at risk.

Its budget for substance abuse programmes has been cut by R600 000 for the 2023/24 financial year.

New applications will be directed to other substance treatment centres funded by the department, which currently has six in-patient facilities: Metro South, North, East, Cape Winelands, Overberg and West Coast. Enquiries and admissions can be made through self-referral or external referrals.

There are also six outpatient treatment centres run by the City of Cape Town.

Bianca Rabbaney, who works for U-Turn Homeless Ministries, has personal experience of how difficult it is to access rehab facilities in times of need. She lived on the streets for more than 20 years, because her family couldn’t cope with her. For most of that time she had a substance use problem.

“My life just spiralled down to almost completely nothing, and in that time I did search for help,” she says.

“There are so many of us who want to come out of drug addiction but we can’t do that when we’re out on the street. From my personal experience when I walked my journey, there were so many places I went to that rejected me.”

“They used to send us away because we didn’t have money to come into the facility or we didn’t have a place to stay. It made it difficult for someone like me to access that kind of assistance,” she says.

Rabbaney eventually got help at the Matrix Rehabilitation Programme Parkwood. She has been abstinent for eight years now.

“I never forgot the struggle that I had to go through to get to a shelter, get myself into a rehabilitation program and to get my life back together. We don’t have many of those facilities at the moment.

“I would like to send a message out there that there is hope after addiction. There is hope after being homeless. We just need more facilities.”

Budget cuts

The provincial DSD is concerned about possible further cuts to its budget.

“We will only know the impact on this programme next year after the final budget allocation,” said Monique Mortlock-Malgas, spokesperson to MEC Sharna Fernandez.

The department is also looking to regulate illegal rehabilitation centres.

“This process may assist with the demand for services to the extent that DSD can help more centres provide proper quality services to the public. Centres that are unable to comply will, however, need to be closed,” said Mortlock-Malgas.

Lise van den Dool, chief programme officer at U-Turn, says there are also state-funded beds in registered facilities but there is a long waiting period for these and this is a problem because people may lose motivation. “When a person is ready to walk that journey you’ve got a short window period,” she said.

Van den Dool said the biggest issue is what happens after the rehabilitation process. She said work programmes are fundamental to recovery – not just preparing people to be ready for work, but helping them keep their jobs.

According to data from the 2022 census, after loss of income, substance abuse is the main cause of homelessness in the country. Some studies, including one by U-Turn, suggest that there are at least 14 000 homeless people in Cape Town.

Republished from GroundUp under a Creative Commons licence.

Source: GroundUp

Categories : Hospitals Medical IndustryTags :

The World’s First Precision Institute to Redefine the Healthcare Industry as We Know It

On By ModernMedia

Blending 4IR technology and holistic approaches to health, the future of personalised and predictive ‘Wellcare’ comes to Cape Town and Johannesburg

InUversal Group, a health and biotech market disruptor in Africa and the Middle East that is transforming the way we think about healthcare, medicine and hospitals, is set to open next-gen medical and wellness hubs in Cape Town this December 2023 and a monumental R1 Billion Development in Sandton, Johannesburg, to follow in 2024. These visionary, state-of-the-art health and wellness facilities are designed to embrace the holistic nature of individuals’ wellbeing, emphasising the intricate interplay of biological, social and psychological facets.

Comprising a team of esteemed medical experts working collaboratively to transform disease treatment through innovative and holistic strategies, the InUversal Group is committed to alleviating South Africa and Africa’s healthcare challenges through the application of 4IR technology that is set to improve healthcare accessibility and standards for individuals across the continent. As an increasing number of international visitors travel the globe in search of medical treatments, the InUversal Group is committed to making South Africa’s major metropolises, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, the go-to destinations for personalised Wellcare – a term coined by the group that is anticipatory in nature and requires a holistic approach to health.

Wellcare harnesses proven strategies to attain an optimal and healthy balance between individuals’ health, time, and finances, ensuring that they can lead healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives. This ambitious endeavour aligns with South Africa’s reputation as a hub for medical tourism, offering world-class medical services, competitive pricing, and a rich cultural and immersive experience.

The Institute of Universal Wellcare (InUWell) will be based in the heart of Cape Town at the prestigious V&A Waterfront Mall and is the first of its kind – a digitally-immersed, multidisciplinary institute of holistic health and wellbeing in a warm and welcoming retail environment. InUWell’s versatile multifunctional design, and forward-thinking commitment to radical sustainability, offers an unparalleled experience that is a seamless blend of physical and digital realms. The Institute is set over 2000 square metres and is considered to be the heart of “Wellcare.”

This festive season, InUWell is opening its doors to immersive health and wellness experiences where individuals are invited to learn more about health and well-being, while exploring and having fun in an engaging, euphoric, multi-sensory environment as they connect and share memorable moments with friends and family.

InUWell provides a diverse range of services including DNA genetic testing, comprehensive health screenings and diagnostics, specialised treatments and therapies, Wellcare lifestyle products and services, active health studios, multisensory immersive experiences and a digital health bank with evidence-based healthcare insights.

“The InUversal Group is an ecosystem shifting and stretching boundaries, creating connections, taking complex intricate life decisions and making them SIMPLE,” says Dr Kamlen Pillay, Founder and CEO of the InUversal Group and Plastic Surgeon. “InUWell, under the InUversal Group, is a single destination for all your health and wellness needs. It is the perfect place to learn about your body and how to take care of it, to access the latest technology and treatments and therapies, and to connect with other people who are on the same journey,” says Dr Pillay.

“The InUversal Group’s WellCare Programmes empower individuals of all generations to take precise, proactive, and preventative measures, not only to extend the quantity of years in our lives but also to infuse more vitality and quality into those years,” says Dr Pillay.

The Group is launching several innovative health technology products which will enter the market early next year, including the Johannesburg facility called SIM Sandton, that is unique in Africa and will host a 5* hotel, InUWell Precinct, Step-Down Facility as well as a multi-disciplinary Surgical Theatre Complex with more than 20 of Johannesburg’s top specialists. 

Working with esteemed medical specialists, leading MedTech equipment and companies, and lifestyle and wellness retail brand partners, the InUversal Group invites potential collaborators to join the vanguard of companies and brands helping to shape the future of health and Wellcare practices in Africa and globally, with the shared mission of enhancing the well-being of countless individuals.

“Imagine a world where every man, woman and child has the agency over three valuable assets – their health, time and money. A world where every person has the dignity of choice where they live, work and play. A world where hospitals are not places we go to when we are sick but rather to stay healthy. Imagine a world where hospitals are for profits but not for profiteering. A world where each day, each and every one of us, uses our energy collectively to leave the world in a slightly better place than we found it, the day before,” concludes Dr Pillay.

To get involved or find out more information, visit: inuwell.global or contact experience@inuwell.global to book an appointment. InUWell Cape Town will officially be opening its doors on 19 December 2023.

Categories : Environmental Effects HospitalsTags :

Cape Town’s Newest Hospital Recognised for Exemplary Water Conservation  

On By ModernMedia
Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital has earned a prestigious five-star rating from the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate, joining the esteemed ranks of organisations dedicated to water sustainability. The accolade underscores NCBMH’s commitment to responsible water management and aligns with the hospital’s ongoing efforts to champion prudent and sustainable management of natural resources, supporting water-sensitive urban living.

Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital (NCBMH) has earned a prestigious five-star rating from the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate, joining the esteemed ranks of organisations dedicated to water sustainability. The accolade underscores NCBMH’s commitment to responsible water management.

The City of Cape Town’s Water Star Rating Certification Awards acknowledged NCBMH’s dedication to best water use, supply, conservation and discharge practices. This recognition aligns with the hospital’s ongoing efforts to champion prudent and sustainable management of natural resources, supporting water-sensitive urban living.

“We are proud to be part of a community leading the charge in climate-smart healthcare transformation and are committed to playing a proactive role in averting a potential water crisis in Cape Town and across South Africa,” said André Nortje, Netcare’s environmental sustainability manager.

Nortje emphasised Netcare’s dedication to minimising environmental impact: “Our commitment extends beyond accolades. Efforts to conserve water, reduce waste and save electricity should be high on every South African’s agenda, and we are committed to doing our part to drive sustainability.”

NCBMH’s water conservation initiatives include a sophisticated greywater harvesting system, as well as a desalination plant capable of providing the entire facility’s water needs. These initiatives, as well as the installation of low-flow showerheads and aerator-equipped taps throughout the hospital, can achieve water savings of approximately 60 000 kilolitres for the facility per annum. The hospital’s desalination plant, installed in 2019, also has the filtration capacity to support all Netcare facilities in the City of Cape Town in a disaster situation.

Netcare achieved a 23% reduction in water consumption at Group level between 2014 and 2020. Nortje outlined the 2030 aim to further reduce the company’s impact on the natural potable water sources by implementing grey- and black-water recycling projects within selected facilities.

The company’s sustainability strategy, initiated in 2013, addresses electricity use, waste reduction, and water management. The Group aims to further reduce its impact on water sources by an additional 20% from the 2020 baseline. The strategy includes efficient equipment deployment, the evaluation of greywater and blackwater treatment for potable water and an operational efficiency drive.

“We believe every business should be a good corporate citizen contributing to our country’s future. At Netcare, we want to show South Africa and the world that sustainability is possible and that YOU can make a difference. The certification allows us to showcase our efforts to inspire businesses around us to join in the fight against wastage,” concluded Nortje.

Categories : Hospitals Mental HealthTags :

Burnout is Highly Prevalent in Healthcare Workers in Cape Town

On By ModernMedia
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Among Cape Town healthcare workers, burnout is highly prevalent, and worsened by the fear of infection, said City spokesperson Priya Reddy.

A year after the breakout of COVID in the Western Cape, the provincial department of health also reported significant levels of burnout among its health-care workers, especially in doctors, nurses and support staff.

Reddy said: “Burnout is highly prevalent as a result of exposure to trauma, loss, grief and compassion fatigue, and is exacerbated by the high levels of anxiety for fear of contracting the virus.”

However, she said: “The presence of Covid-19 has not diverted health-care workers from their primary responsibilities, thus the pandemic added additional levels of care and caution to the way they work and required a major adjustment.”

In response, the City has made available a number of employee assistance programmes (EAP) and wellness interventions to all employees, including City health-care workers and those supporting them in their different functions. The City is also providing workshops on burnout, compassion fatigue and resilience, and making proactive interventions to deal with stress and anxiety.

The provincial health department reported that between October and December last year, 2832 employees accessed the employee health and wellness programme. Work related problems, trauma, COVID related challenges, family challenges and relationships issues were the most common problems presented during this time.

In his review of the pandemic ‘s year in the province, provincial department of health head, Dr Keith Cloete said: “The department recognised the immense impact the pandemic has had on its staff and has initiated intentional healing and grieving sessions with our front-line workers and managers.”

“The department also recognised the need for staff to rest and recuperate, and in between the two waves we encouraged and granted staff to take leave so they can spend some time with family members,” Dr Cloete added.

SA Society of Psychiatrists (Sasop) board member Dr Renata Schoeman said: “Because people on the verge of burnout feel the need to keep going even though they are exhausted and in a state of relentless overwork, by the time they consult a health professional, burnout has often already become depression or anxiety disorder.”

She added: “Avoiding burnout is a classic case where prevention is better than cure, and lifestyle is the most effective preventative strategy. Improving your emotional and mental fitness, as well as physical fitness, helps to build resilience which means you can handle stress better and cope with setbacks.”

A survey of burnout in India found that 52.8% of respondents reported pandemic-related burnout, compared to 26.9% for work-related burnout. Burnout risk was increased by 1.64 for doctors and by 5 for support staff.

Source: IOL