PHALABORWA – Maphutha Malatji Hospital in Namakgale recently participated in the Rural Health Matters campaign, an initiative aimed at addressing surgical backlogs and improving healthcare access in rural areas.

The campaign ran from Saturday, June 21, to Saturday, June 29, and was held across several hospitals, including Letaba, Van Velden, and Maphutha Malatji.

The first two days of the campaign focused on orthopaedic surgeries, with a total of 22 procedures performed across Mopani District health facilities. Letaba Hospital handled 10 cases, Van Velden conducted eight, and Maphutha Malatji completed four.

Beginning Monday, June 23, Maphutha Malatji Hospital welcomed a team of urology specialists from Polokwane Hospital.

Their goal was to conduct six urology surgeries per day, aiming to surpass last year’s total of 26 procedures.

Hospital CEO Dr Sello Rasello expressed optimism about exceeding this number, targeting 30 surgeries by the end of the campaign.

“I’m happy that we have a team of specialists who came to assist patients who have waited a long time for their operations,” Rasello told the Herald. “These are life-saving procedures, and seeing the relief and joy on our patients’ faces after successful surgeries is truly priceless.”

Rasello also noted that while the hospital is equipped with a C-Arm imaging machine used in surgery, it currently lacks resident doctors trained to operate it for these procedures.

The Rural Health Matters campaign not only aims to reduce surgical and medical backlogs but also focuses on skills transfer, introducing practitioners to modern techniques, and treating patients who have been waiting for care at academic hospitals.