The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) says it will on Mandela Day, 18 July embark on massive surgical marathons as part of efforts to address surgery backlogs.
According to GDoH, the province has a backlog of over 18 000 patients awaiting surgical procedures. This was reduced from 32 000 at the beginning of the year.
“Mandela Day calls for people to devote 67 minutes of their time to positively impact communities and the lives of people.
This year marks 10 years since the death of Nelson Mandela. To commemorate his life the Nelson Mandela Foundation has themed the 10 year remembrance call to action: “The Legacy Lives on Through You”.
The Department says in response to the call to action, 32 Gauteng hospitals will on the day conduct over 700 elective surgeries on patients who have been on the waiting list.
“These patients have been chosen according to surgical backlog lists at every hospital, and incorporates waiting time and prioritisation according to clinical needs.
“A number of surgical procedures will be conducted as part of the marathons including arthroplasty, hernia repair, maxillofacial, hysterectomy, cataract excision, prostate biopsy, colostomy closures, caesarean section and circumcision amongst others.”
GDoH states that some facilities have partnered with the private sector to perform these surgeries.
The department said that surgical marathons are not only for reducing backlogs, but for restoring dignity to hundreds of patients.
“The clinicians who will be performing these surgeries are specialists in the various disciplines. Their teams consist of staff 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.
GDoH says it has in preparation ensured functional theatres in participating 32 hospitals.
“Provincial laundry services have worked hard to ensure that there is adequate supply linen at surgical wards. The drive to reduce surgery backlogs follows major surgical break throughs at various hospitals,” GDoH stated.
