Orthopaedic surgery backlog at Rob Ferreira Hospital: relief for some
Mashego begged the people of Mpumalanga to be patient with his department as its services did not only cater for those in the province, but also those from neighbouring countries and provinces who were transferred here
MBOMBELA – “I’m a Ferreira, but I feel robbed.” Mr Jonathan Ferreira is trying to ease his frustration with humour. He was admitted to Rob Ferreira Hospital with a fractured ankle and knee in November last year, but has still not been operated on.
Lowvelder reported in February on how he had been sent from pillar to post in the hopes of being operated on. X-rays were taken of the fractures again this Wednesday and although it was clear that they had not yet healed completely, doctors said they were “satisfied’ with his progress.
Ferreira gets around on crutches and has to work from home. He has since obtained a medical aid, but there is a waiting period until January next year before it will pay for orthopaedic surgery.
Also read: More than 2 000 patients waiting on orthopaedic surgery
Meanwhile, Operation Letsema (which means fix the bone) was launched at the hospital this weekend. It was instituted in an attempt to decrease the huge backlog in orthopaedic surgery in Mpumalanga.
MEC for health, Mr Gillion Mashego, welcomed six orthopaedic surgeons and eight medical nurses from across the country to Rob Ferreira. A total of 41 patients were scheduled to undergo operations. Eleven were performed on Friday, 15 on Saturday and four on Sunday, resulting in a shortfall of 11.
Mashego stated that at the beginning of the year, the number of patients who needed to be operated on was more than 2 000. Although spokesman for health, Mr Dumisani Malamule, recently stated that the province had four orthopaedic surgeons, Mashego said Mpumalanga only had three, who were stationed at Rob Ferreira, Themba and Ermelo Hospitals. “One can imagine the amount of work these doctors are faced with, however, due to commitment and their dedication, the number has decreased to 336.”
Mashego added that Operation Letsema will run in various hospitals across the province, with doctors from Gauteng continuing to render their services until all the orthopaedic cases had been completed. The project will continue until September.
Walking around the hospital, Mashego assured patients that their day of finally being operated on had come and wished them a speedy recovery. One of the patients, Ms Kate Hola, who had been involved in a car accident on Good Friday said, “I’ve been here for long, but with the arrival of the doctors, I’m happy that I will be going home soon.”
The newspaper also recently reported on Mr Johan Pieterse, who had been waiting anxiously for surgery after having been involved in an accident in Ohrigstad. He was one of the lucky ones to be operated on over the weekend. He underwent a procedure which lasted about four hours during which a plate and pen were fitted into his right arm and leg. “This is my fourth week in this bed, finally it’s here, I’m quite happy about it.”
Also read: Man fears he might have to wait months for surgery
Patients begged Mashego to ensure that the doctors wouldn’t leave the hospital before helping them. Some had dislocated their hips and wrists, and sustained other injuries, and some had come from as far as Limpopo. One of them was 17-year-old Lucky Makofane, a grade nine learner of Calvin College in Burgersfort who had his wrist dislocated while playing soccer at school earlier this year. He was transferred to Rob Ferreira from Lydenburg Hospital.
Mashego also begged the people of Mpumalanga to be patient with his department as its services did not only cater for those in the province, but also those from neighbouring countries and provinces who were transferred here.
