Intersectoral collaboration before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Western Cape: implications for future whole-of-society approaches to health and wellbeing

Abstract

The profound health, social and economic impacts generated by the COVID-19 pandemic have necessitated collaboration among societal actors in an unprecedented fashion, elevating the status of the health sector and positioning it to advance intersectoral action on health.This chapter reflects on intersectoral collaboration in the Western Cape prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe forms of intersectoral collaboration that emerged in response to COVID-19; how these drew from a prior formative initiative in the province, referred to as WoSA (whole-of-society approach); and the lessons and opportunities these experiences offer for future intersectoral collaboration for health and wellbeing.Three key mechanisms of intersectoral collaboration implemented during the period are considered: technical and logistical support from the health sector to other sectors to mainstream and optimise COVID-19 responses; inter-governmental Joint Operation Centres mandated by the Disaster Management Act; and collaborative district processes drawing on the whole-of-society approach and forming the basis of a COVID-19 Provincial Recovery Plan. The evidence from these experiences is that the trust relationships, governance structures and common data systems established in the COVID-19 period can be leveraged for future intersectoral collaboration. However, this will require a shift from disaster management to developmental mind-sets and from reactive to proactive approaches. Current governmental planning and accountability frameworks characterised by silos remains a challenge.As the ‘universal recipient’ of failing societies, the health sector has a particular responsibility to overcome governance challenges to intersectoral collaboration and to advance whole-of-society approaches to health and wellbeing.