Damage to Meiringspoort
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has implemented contingency transport measures to ensure vulnerable patients in the Central Karoo can continue accessing specialist healthcare after severe storm damage disrupted major road links across the province.
The emergency arrangements come after widespread flooding and infrastructure damage in May left critical routes, including Meiringspoort and Uniondale Pass, closed for repairs.
According to Weekend Argus, the closures have significantly affected HealthNET, the province's non-emergency patient transport service, which relies on those roads to transport patients to George Regional Hospital for specialist consultations and procedures.
To maintain access to care, HealthNET teams have been forced to use substantially longer alternative routes to reach George. In cases where the diversions are not practical, patients are being redirected to Worcester Hospital for treatment.
