MOSSEL BAY NEWS - In a statement on 13 September, Western Cape Health MEC, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, said: "The national crime statitics released this week revealed that residents within the Western Cape are exposed to dangerously high levels of crime, specifically those crimes related to interpersonal violence.
"The sharp increase in interpersonal violence cases negatively impacts on the services available within the health system.
"This is because interpersonal violence is a major contributor to the pressures experienced especially within Emergency Centres (ECs) which cause delays in the treatment of many elective procedures."
She said preference was often given to patients requiring emergency treatment.
"We also experience pressures on other service platforms such as our clinics (long waiting times), Forensic Pathology Services (a longer wait of routine cases due to a high number of compulsory autopsies) and Emergency Medical Service (where life-threatening emergencies cause long waiting for other patients), as well as delays caused by safety concerns in violent communities.
“In the case of ECs within crime-ridden areas, we find that a large number of people present with interpersonal violence injuries relating to gunsho and stab wounds. At facility level we feel the level of crime that’s happening outside. within communities” said Dr Mbombo.
"The violent crime stats reflected in the national statistics, are reflected within our health system. Just during the last few months, some of our facilities reported a steep upsurge in gunshot wounds and stabbings," she said.
Incidents from 1 Jan to 30 Aug:
- Victoria Hospital - 129 gunshot wounds and 259 stabbings
- Red Cross - 17 gunshot wounds (10 were in Aug) and eight stabbings
- Retreat Community Health Centre (CHC) – 174 gunshots and 686 stabbings
- Mitchells Plain Hospital - 110 gunshots and 398 stabbings
- Gugulethu CHC - 162 gunshots
- Mitchells Plain CHC - 129 gunshots and 725 stabbings and assaults
- Hanover Park CHC - 15 gunshots, 1 629 assaults including stabbings
Dr Mbombo said: "Western Cape Government Health supports the calls for additional policing resources in communities where violent crime is the highest.
"Communities, government and civil society further need to continue fostering a whole of society approach towards reducing the harms associated with social ills such as alcohol and drug abuse."
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