Mandela Day: Gauteng DoH embarks on ‘massive’ surgical undertakings to address backlog

In response to the Nelson Mandela Day commemorative call to action, 32 Gauteng hospitals will conduct more than 700 elective surgeries on patients who had been on the waiting list. These patients, the statement explained, have been chosen according to surgical backlog lists at every hospital and incorporated waiting time and prioritisation according to clinical needs.

Procedures included arthroplasty, hernia repair, maxillofacial, hysterectomy, cataract excision, prostate biopsy, colostomy closures, caesarean section and circumcision amongst others. Some of the facilities partnered with the private sector to perform these surgeries.

“The surgical marathons,” the statement continues, “are more than just reducing the backlogs, but most importantly, they are about restoring dignity to hundreds of patients whose lives have been impacted by their medical condition.

“The clinicians who will be performing these surgeries are specialists in the various disciplines and their teams consisting of registrars, medical officers, scrub nurses and other support staff including porters and cleaners who are all vital in the success of the surgical marathons.”

The GDoH intends to conduct these surgical marathons on a quarterly basis until the backlog is eliminated. To facilitate these, it has ensured functional theatres in participating 32 hospitals. Provincial laundry services have also ensured that there is adequate supply of clean linen at surgical wards on the day.

“This major drive to reduce surgery backlogs,” the GDoH adds, “follows major surgical breakthroughs such as the first heart surgery for Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital, brain surgical procedures at Sebokeng Regional Hospital and the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy for Bertha Gxowa District Hospital.”

SOURCE: Gauteng Department of Health