The City of Cape Town’s Health Department celebrates Pharmacy Month annually during September, with a call for clients to continue with their visits to clinics for chronic conditions. The Covid-19 pandemic may have impacted these visits, but these have shown a recent upswing.
The theme for this year’s Pharmacy Month is Think Pharmacy: Quality Healthcare for all.
‘The pandemic has played havoc with routines and the day-to-day activities of our patrons. Although health visits were allowed during the different lockdown levels, many people stayed home to stay safe. This meant they also did not collect their chronic medication for diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
In July 2019 there were 11 553 chronic visits to the City’s health facilities, last year it dropped to 10 000 for the same month and this year it was back up to 11 823.
‘It is encouraging that our residents are taking responsibility for their health by ensuring they collect their medication. With our strictest lockdown levels, many patrons could have their chronic medication delivered. It is just one of the ways City Health provides quality healthcare for our residents,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
City Health has 105 nurse driven Primary Health Care clinics including 87 fixed facilities, 14 satellite and four mobile clinics.
‘Pharmacists at our facilities do more than provide medication and information. They’re part of the team ensuring the health of all our people, especially during this time. We are coming off the peak of the third wave with a significant drop in the average new cases per day. From 2 284 daily new cases to 1 598 a day the past week. The death rate also continues to decline from a daily average of 72 the previous week to 66 a day the last seven days.
‘This is a small victory as the battle is far from won. We need to encourage registration and subsequent vaccination for all eligible age groups. This doesn’t mean we can let protocols lapse. Continue to wear your mask when in public spaces and crowds, sanitise as often as possible and keep your distance from other people,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
Registration for Covid-19 vaccination has opened on the EVDS for those aged 18 and older and SMS appointments will be sent to people in this age group who have successfully registered.
Persons in this age group who wish to be vaccinated without waiting for the SMS appointment, may go to one of the public sector vaccination sites with their ID and cellphone as a walk-in.
However, be prepared to wait for your turn as persons 50 years and older will be prioritised as this age group is more at risk of severe Covid-19 infection that could result in hospitalisation.
The following areas have the lowest percentage of vaccine registration across the eligible age groups.
Nomzamo 3.75
Phillipi 5.70
Pella 6.58
Imizamo Yethu 7.5
Cross roads 7.38
Fisantekraal 7.65
Blackheath 8.74
Klipheuwel 12.06
Blue Downs 13.4
Delft 13.61
Macassar 13.96
Eerste River 14.21
Gugulethu 14.64
Langa 14.4
Mfuleni 16.53
Kraaifontein 17.2
Matroosfontein 17.27
Nyanga 21.04
Atlantis 22.39
Belhar 22.65
Any resident 50 years and older, who has not registered, or has not received an appointment, can go to their nearest public sector vaccination site for assisted registration and vaccination.
Those who have not yet registered on EVDS, are encouraged to register and get vaccinated ahead of the fourth wave, which the experts anticipate will be here by December 2021.
Source: City Of Cape Town