A major healthcare milestone was reached this week with the official opening of the Cape Winelands’ first dedicated paediatric Burns Unit at Ceres Hospital. This opening brings specialist care closer to rural communities.
The newly established one-bed unit was unveiled on Thursday, 31 July. It marks a significant step in decentralising burns treatment across the Western Cape.
Moreover, this project is part of an R18 million investment led by the Children’s Hospital Trust, in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness. Additionally, similar units have also been launched at Worcester Hospital and Worcester Community Day Centre.
easing the burden on families and central hospitals
Until now, the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Rondebosch carried the full responsibility for paediatric burns care in the province. It treated over 1,000 inpatients and 4,000 to 5,000 outpatients annually.
However, for families in rural areas like Ceres, accessing this care meant long and costly trips to Cape Town. This often delayed treatment and increased trauma.
For example, one local mother shared how her daughter, initially treated at Ceres, needed follow-up care at Red Cross. Previously, the trip cost R1,400 each way, but now the family pays just R17 to access care nearby.
“I’m elated. Not only because of the money we’re saving, but because my child now gets the care she needs without leaving home for days,” she said.
“It brings comfort and dignity during a painful journey.”
Government and donors unite to improve care
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, praised the opening as a triumph of collaboration.
“This new Burns Unit in Ceres brings life-saving care closer to rural communities and ensures children receive specialised support without traveling far from home and family,” Wenger said.
“It shows what’s possible when government, civil society and donors unite with a shared purpose.”
Furthermore, the Children’s Hospital Trust was instrumental in fundraising for construction, equipment, and specialist staff training. Nurses and allied health workers across the Cape Winelands received training to respond confidently to burns emergencies. This training helps ease pressure on central hospitals.
Specialist care now available locally
Dr Elton Titus, medical manager at the new unit, called it “a welcome and long-overdue addition” to healthcare in the Witzenberg region.
“With the training we’ve received and new equipment in place, we can now offer holistic, high-quality care to children with burn wounds right here in Ceres,” he said.
In addition, family physician Dr Jani Fouché added that the dedicated unit allows focused treatment using equipment like a point-of-care ultrasound, ventilator, and wash bay.
“This unit is designed specifically for burns. It gives our team the resources to act fast and effectively, especially during the critical early stages of treatment,” said Fouché.
Extending red cross hospital’s legacy beyond cape town
For Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, the project continues its legacy of child-centred care beyond Cape Town.
CEO Dr Anita Parbhoo attended the launch and praised the initiative as important decentralisation rooted in the hospital’s mission.
Overall, the launch celebrated shared effort and reminded everyone. Every child, whether in Ceres or Cape Town, deserves access to specialist care close to home.
