Western Cape Health department urges safe choices for festive season

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness (WCDHW), together with emergency and rescue partners, has outlined its festive season readiness, while urging the public to make safer choices during one of the busiest and highest-risk periods of the year.

The department hosted a festive season readiness media briefing at NSRI Station 18 in Melkbosstrand. The briefing coincided with a joint water rescue training exercise involving WCDHW Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Rescue, the South African Police Service, Lifesaving South Africa, the National Sea Rescue Institute and the 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.

Increased travel, beach and water activity, social gatherings, heat exposure and higher levels of alcohol consumption contribute to a rise in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), pedestrian-vehicle accidents (PVAs), violence-related injuries and water-related incidents.

Western Cape MEC of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger urged residents and visitors to celebrate responsibly.

“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,” Wenger said.

During the previous festive season period December 15 2024 to 15 January 2025, EMS responded to 69 249 incidents across the province, including 23 383 life-threatening cases. Over the same period, emergency centres recorded 29 785 visits, highlighting the scale of demand placed on emergency services and the public health sector.

The department said it 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, the Air Mercy Service and the Forensic Pathology Service. This integrated health ecosystem approach aims to ensure rapid response on land, sea and air during peak periods.

However, officials stressed that the public also has a role to play. 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.

Provincial youth wellbeing data shows that alcohol exposure, late-night movement and lack of supervision significantly increase the risk of injury and violence among young people. Adult presence, clear boundaries and responsible alcohol use during the festive period remain vital to maintaining the safety of children and young adults.

Water safety remains a critical concern across the province. Drownings and near-drownings require intensive multi-agency responses, often involving rescue services, EMS, emergency centres and air support.

The Forensic Pathology Service will again roll out its annual water safety awareness campaign in partnership with various stakeholders, including municipalities. This includes supporting the distribution of child identification armbands to help reunite lost children with caregivers and reduce risk at beaches, dams and rivers.

Holidaymakers were also warned about the impact of extreme heat and dehydration during the summer months, particularly when combined with alcohol use and outdoor activity, which increases medical emergencies and reduces physical resilience.

“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.”

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 period for all.

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Cape Argus