Western Cape health services prepared for festive season, but public to make safer choices
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness (WCDHW), together with emergency and rescue partners, today hosted a festive season readiness media briefing at NSRI Station 18 in Melkbosstrand, outlining operational plans for one of the busiest and highest-risk periods of the year. The media briefing coincided with a joint water rescue training exercise between WCDHW EMS Rescue, South African Police Service, Lifesaving South Africa, National Sea Rescue Institute, and Air Mercy Service.
While the festive season is a time of celebration relaxation, and reconnection with family and friends, it also places significant pressure on emergency services and hospitals. The increased travel, beach and water activity, social gatherings, heat exposure, and higher levels of alcohol consumption all contribute to a rise in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), pedestrian vehicle accidents (PVAs), violence-related injuries, and water-related incidents.
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, said, “This festive season, we are asking our residents and visitors to celebrate responsibly. Every safe choice that you make helps to protect our healthcare system for those that need it most. The Western Cape’s emergency teams are prepared and ready to serve everyone this festive season.”
During the previous festive season period (15 December 2024 to 15 January 2025), Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to 69,249 incidents across the province, including 23,383 life-threatening cases, echoed by 29 785 emergency centre visits (as per HECTIS) over the same period. This highlights the scale of demand placed on emergency services and the public health sector.
WCDHW has strengthened readiness across EMS, emergency centres, and referral pathways, supported by close operational coordination with partners and contractors including the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the Air Mercy Service (AMS), and the Forensic Pathology Service (FPS). This integrated health ecosystem approach ensures rapid response on land, sea, and air during peak periods.
However, it is vital that all of us play our part over the festive season, and remain aware of the most common dangers that can present themselves over the season. MVAs, PVAs, violence-related trauma, and drowning incidents account for a significant proportion of severe injuries during the festive season. Many of these incidents are linked to alcohol and substance use, fatigue associated with long-distance travel, and reduced adult supervision.
Evidence from provincial youth wellbeing data shows the particular risk that alcohol exposure, late-night movement, and lack of supervision significantly increase the risk of injury and violence among young people. More than any other period of the year, adult presence, clear boundaries, and responsible alcohol use during the festive period remain vital to maintain the safety of children and young adults.
Water safety remains a critical concern throughout the province. Drownings and near-drownings require an intensive multi-agency response, often involving rescue services, EMS, emergency centres, and air support. The FPS will again roll out its annual water safety awareness campaign, in partnership with various stakeholders, including municipalities. This campaign includes supporting the distribution of child identification armbands to help reunite lost children with caregivers and reduce risk at beaches, dams, and rivers across the province.
Holiday goers should also be aware of the impact of extreme heat and dehydration during summer months, particularly when combined with alcohol use and outdoor activity. These factors increase medical emergencies and reduce physical resilience, further adding pressure on emergency services.
“Festive readiness is not only about how we respond when emergencies happen,” said Dr Saadiq Kariem, Chief of Operations for the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness. “It is also about preventing avoidable harm. When emergency resources are tied up with preventable trauma, they are not immediately available for other critical medical emergencies. Safer choices help protect access to care for everyone,” continued Dr Kariem.
Residents are urged to plan ahead, avoid drinking and driving, supervise children closely near water, avoid areas known for rip currents, take regular breaks on long journeys, and make responsible decisions throughout the festive season to help ensure a safer festive season for all.