While the majority of medical facilities in the province remain operational, services are being put to the test and medical teams are working under challenging conditions. 

This is the Western Cape Health and Wellness Department’s message, as several hospitals and clinics have been closed or are operating under contingency arrangements due to weather-related impacts.  

“We are experiencing service delays at our healthcare facilities and request for patience and understanding from our communities accessing care, as our teams are working under challenging conditions, providing person-centred care, while ensuring that services remain operational,” read the department’s statement.  

All clinics in the Breede Valley and parts of the Cape Winelands have been closed, while facilities in the Overberg, West Coast, Cape Metro, Garden Route and Central Karoo are providing limited services.  

Some facilities, like the Mitchells Plain Hospital, are experiencing electricity supply issues, others, like the Caledon Hospital, have suffered infrastructure damage, and road closures have resulted in the closure of some. 

“In the West Coast District, unsafe road conditions have resulted in the temporary closure of Redelinghuys Clinic and the suspension of the Piketberg Bo‑berg mobile service.” 

The department advised that Emergency Medical Services are also under pressure, responding to a high volume of operational responses.  

It added that it is monitoring the situation and urges the public to be cautious and to delay non-essential hospital visits if travel conditions are not safe.  

“The current focus remains on emergency response and maintaining service continuity.” 

READ MORE: Provincial healthcare services remain operational amid severe weather conditions