Health
(1) How many patients in the province are registered as chronic patients in the most notable categories such as (a) asthma, (b) cancer, (c) diabetes, (d) heart disease and (e) HIV and Aids;
(2) whether there were or are any shortages experienced in providing care for these patients in the province during the COVID-19 pandemic; if so, what contingency measures are in place;
(3) (a) what measures are in place at healthcare facilities to ensure that such patients can obtain their medication and (b) what additional measures, if any, did her Department take?
- As at 1 March 2020 among 3.5 million adult patients (age >20 years) who visited a public health facility at least once in the last three years are considered “active patients”. The following have either been diagnosed with or treated for the following conditions:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma: 194 164
- Diabetes: 264 538
- HIV: 540 437
- This is based on diagnoses inferred on the basis of laboratory tests performed or medications received for these conditions. We do not routinely record data on the numbers with cancer and cardiovascular disease.
- Since the start of the pandemic we have had continued delivery of health services through our community health workers (CHWs) and at our health facilities. The CHWs did regular home visits to render basic health services to households. Emergency health care continued.
- (a and b) At the start of the pandemic we issued stable chronic patients with two months’ supply of medication. This was further supported by the home visits done by our CHWs. In the Metro, we also introduced a WhatsApp channel which registered patients could use to confirm their details to have their medication delivered to them.
The Department also initiated a project which focuses on diabetes patients to minimise their risk of an adverse COVID-19 outcome. The project was based on local evidence and mounting data that showed a clear increased mortality in the elderly and diabetic group of COVID-19 patients. The project continues to shows promising early feedback with a reduction in the adverse outcomes for high risk diabetics admitted.
