In a bid to enhance healthcare accessibility and communication, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has introduced services in multiple languages, including sign language.
Patients at health facilities can now receive assistance in their mother tongue, ensuring clearer communication and improved healthcare outcomes.
This initiative aims to alleviate the challenges faced by patients trying to navigate healthcare services in their fourth or fifth language, making it easier for them to express their health concerns and understand medical advice.
The department has launched a telephonic interpretation and sign language service to cater to the diverse linguistic needs of its patients. This person-centric approach prioritises the well-being of patients and aims to provide the best possible care.
According to the department, this service has fostered trust among healthcare workers, patients and interpreters, resulting in clearer communication during diagnosis, treatment planning and follow-up care.
This initiative has not only benefited patients but also healthcare professionals. Nurse Alfonso Swarts from the Plettenberg Bay Clinic highlighted how it helps him explain medical information to patients in their mother tongue, improving overall understanding and healthcare delivery.
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To date, the service has successfully handled 5309 tele-interpreting calls and scheduled 1456 sign language sessions for patients. The addition of sign language interpreting has significantly increased its utilisation, especially within the deaf community.
This service has also assisted deaf mothers throughout their pregnancy journeys and during labour, ensuring they can fully participate in life-changing moments.
Patients visiting health facilities in the Western Cape can now point to their preferred language on a poster or request assistance from the reception clerk to connect with an interpreter. The service is available during emergencies and on public holidays.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness offers tele-interpreting in various languages, including Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu, Arabic, Bemba, Igbo, Lingala, Luo Oromo, Shona, Somali, Swahili, Tonga, Tshiluba, Yoruba, Chichewa Kirundi, Amharic, Malagasy, Lari, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Thai, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
All interpreters are nationally and internationally accredited, ensuring patients can receive crucial information in an easily understandable language.
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Picture: Western Cape Department of Health & Wellness / Facebook