The team that participated in the Cape Winelands support visit
During August, the Cape Winelands District welcomed a delegation from USAID to assess and support the ACCELERATE 2 Project. The visit included three distinguished USAID officials: Cindy Dlamini, Deve Mehta, and Bridget Mugisa. They were joined by representatives from the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness for Cape Winelands District, the ACCELERATE 2 Project management team led by Chief of Party Tasha Govender from THINK, and its sub-partner MatCH.
The primary goals of the visit were to:
- Provide guidance, mentorship and expertise to local health facilities and the ACCELERATE 2 Project team, ensuring high-quality TB care.
- Review implementation progress made since the baseline assessment and to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
Representatives from USAID, THINK, MatCH and the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness during a facility visit
The visit followed a detailed itinerary to maximize engagement with healthcare providers and beneficiaries at selected facilities. This included visits to the MatCH Paarl Office, TC Newman Community Day Care Centre and the Kayamandi Clinic in Stellenbosch. The last day included a visit to Du Toit Group’s Paardekraal Farm, showcasing private sector engagement and partnership to improve health service delivery to farm workers. The support visit was concluded with a feedback session to consolidate insights on the ACCELERATE 2 Project. Key highlights and takeaways from this session include:
- Strong Representation: All stakeholders, including Western Cape Province officials participated in the visit, highlighting the collaborative spirit in tackling TB challenges.
- Synergy Between Teams: The relationship between the ACCELERATE 2 Project team and the Cape Winelands Department of Health was commended, reflecting an excellent working dynamic that fosters effective health service delivery.
- Positive Feedback: USAID representatives received enthusiastic responses regarding the ACCELERATE 2 Project from various stakeholders, underscoring its positive impact on TB treatment and care in the region.
The concluding feedback session to consolidate insights on the ACCELERATE 2 Project’s progress in Cape Winelands
- Direct Engagement: The USAID delegation had the unique opportunity to witness firsthand the real-life effects of the Project, engaging with patients and observing program activities in action.
- Constructive Insights: The USAID delegation provided valuable feedback, offering insights into improvements and refinements for the ongoing Project.
Reflecting on the visit, Tasha Govender remarked:
“The support and insights provided by the USAID delegation have been invaluable. Their feedback will help us refine our strategies and enhance our impact on TB care in the Cape Winelands.
This visit has reinforced the importance of collaboration and continuous improvement in our efforts to combat TB.”