7 December 2007
Empilweni Hospital in partnership with tuberculosis free, International
Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs, Aspen pharmacare and sanofi
aventis launched a centre for excellence in integrating care of tuberculosis
and HIV and AIDS, the official accreditation HIV and AIDS step down units in
Port Elizabeth on 5 December 2007.
The step down care originates from the recognised need by the National
Health Department as one of the several responses to the HIV and AIDS epidemic
by releasing some of the beds for acute care to avoid or reduce pressure on
hospital beds. The ultimate aim is to ensure equity, improved accessibility and
render affordable and sustainable service without compromising quality.
A step down facility provides an inpatient bed care for patients who no
longer require acute nursing care or the intervention of a doctor but are not
ready yet for full discharge from hospital, for instance, sub acute patients.
The step down care facility encompasses a wide range of patients with many
different conditions and is not restricted to patients with AIDS related
illnesses. The facility must be attached to a hospital and a minimum of ten
beds and maximum of forty beds should be designated.
Patients who are approaching the end of their intensive phase of treatment
are transferred to the step down ward and here they receive intensive education
on TB and HIV and AIDS and supervised self medication. The patients receive
skills acquisition like teaching them on how to make vegetable gardens, the
importance of eating a balanced diet and they are also kept busy with beadwork
and sewing.
"In a nutshell, this programme is made for HIV and AIDS and tuberculosis
patients due to lack of space and beds in hospitals to equip and let them be
fit for the outside world before they are discharged in the variety of skills
they get from the step down home", said Mr Melvin Kent, Provincial Programme
Manager for Step Down Care.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
7 December 2007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecpg.gov.za)
