The impact of COVID-19 on children: insights from the Western Cape experience

• DOI: 10.61473/001c.75292
• Publication Date: 2023-09-25T15:28:05Z
• Authors: Maylene Shung-King; Lori Lake; Michael Hendricks; Aislinn Delany; Yolande Baker; Lizette Berry; Linda Biersteker; Hilary Goeiman; Shanaaz Mathews; Erna Morden; Jaco Murray; Chris Scott; Lesley Shand; Ben van Stormbroek; Thandi Wessels

In the initial phases of COVID-19 epidemic in South Africa, children experienced relative neglect, as they were deemed to be at low risk for contracting and spreading infection. Overwhelmed by adult infections, health system responded slowly children’s complex needs brought about epidemic. This in-depth case study outlines impacts on child Western Cape, subsequent remediating responses. The draws multiple data sources including routine data, examples organisational responses, experiential evidence from practitioners across system. It substantially a series advocacy briefs that examine multi-dimensional Cape. Approximately 12 000 (persons under 18) contracted province (March 2020 March 2021). Thousands more affected illness death relatives, collateral effects increased hunger, violence, injury mental problems, coupled with disruption healthcare services, schooling, early childhood development programmes, social support networks. Essential services de-escalated child-health resources re-allocated care, both immediate long-term consequences health. A proactive response aided Cape’s socio-economic advantage, strong civil society response, stable, well-functioning system, helped mitigate harm, but not before significant damage was done. Cape experience signals that, even well-resourced setting, may overlooked times crisis there is critical need ‘voices’ speaking alongside all decision-making spaces, pro-active, well-planned, child-focused