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.