Thursday, 28 March, 2024
HomeWeekly RoundupCape Town introduces health screening for older people

Cape Town introduces health screening for older people

The City of Cape Town’s Health Department is to launch health screening services for older people. “The introduction of the service is timely as it coincides with International Day for Older Persons (on 1 October),” mayoral committee member for safety and security; and social services JP Smith is quoted in The Citizen as saying. City Health would introduce older persons health screening services at all of its clinics across the metro. The initiative was aimed at improving access to health services for those aged 65 and older, he said.

The report says the service package would include fast-tracking and prioritising older people at all health facilities; free annual health screening for TB, HIV, diabetes, and hypertension; cancer screening at regular intervals as per clinical guidelines; facilitation of referrals to other allied health professionals as well as home- and community-based service providers; regular visits by health promotion teams to old-age homes; regular visits by environmental health staff to old-age homes to check for compliance; health education on healthy living, including nutrition; and encouraging active participation in senior citizens forums

“Some aspects of the care package are entirely new, like old-age home compliance in terms of the new national norms and standards for environmental health services and cancer screening. Others, like screening for lifestyle diseases, have been available in the past, but as part of the provincial package of services.

“We are excited about this development because it’s proof of how City Health is further cementing its place as a critical partner in building safer and healthier communities,” Smith said.

The report said the introduction of the package of services was directly linked to the social development department’s mandate to protect and uplift vulnerable groups. “We will continue working to find innovative ways to improve access and convenience for our older residents, whether from a health or overall social development perspective as these aspects are inextricably linked. While it is important to keep the body healthy, mental and emotional well-being are equally important.

“That is why information sessions and events focusing on the rights and responsibilities of older persons, awareness about elder abuse, and ensuring access to social services like grants have become part and parcel of our ongoing interventions. We have also refined our home-based care initiative which sees services rendered to hundreds of elderly residents every year through our expanded public works programme,” Smith said.

[link url="https://citizen.co.za/news/1673221/city-of-cape-town-launches-health-screening-services-for-elderly/"]The Citizen report[/link]

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