A backlog of surgeries in Gauteng hospitals is a major concern.Various hospitals have been listed with Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital being at the top of the list with the worst waiting list of 10 900 patients in need of various surgeries.

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL

According to Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, in a written reply to DA Shadow MEC Jack Bloom's questions, an astounding 36 237 patients are on the waiting lists for operations in Gauteng public hospitals. Some will have to wait as long as five years to get the help they desperately need however, they don't have a choice but to wait because they can't afford private health care. It was revealed that patients that have to wait the longest are those who need knee and hip replacement surgeries.
"The worst waiting times are for hip and knee replacements, which will mostly take from two to five years, although some hospitals do them in less than a year," Bloom said. The largest backlogs are in cataract surgery, with more than 10 000 patients who will wait up to two years at the Steve Biko and George Mukhari hospitals, but six months or less at the Tembisa, Kalafong, Pholosong and Mamelodi hospitals," said Bloom.

HOSPITALS UNDER PRESSURE

He added that other  hospitals with long waiting lists for surgery, besides Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, are George Mukhari Hospital with 5 979 patients, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital with 3 132 patients, Sebokeng Hospital with 2 977 patients, Mamelodi Hospital with 2 570 patients, Steve Biko Hospital with    1 921 patients, Thelle Mogoerane Hospital with 1 070 patients and Tembisa Hospital with 1 023 patients, among others.

COVID-19 AND LOADSHEDING ALSO A FACTOR

According to Bloom  the MEC expressed concern in the  influx of foreign nationals who are  putting a strain on health care facilities. "The MEC blamed  the crisis on Covid-19, increasing number of foreigners, exodus of skilled personnel and delays in renovation of theatres, as well the crippling effects of load shedding." He said, "It's a vast human tragedy that so many people suffer in pain while waiting for surgery. While Covid 19 was a setback, the huge backlogs are largely due to years of incompetence and corruption. "

SOLUTIONS

In an attempt to eradicate the pressure of  the backlog, the MEC said they would fast track critical surgeries. "We have set in place a programme to address various challenges that have contributed to the growing list of surgical backlogs. Some of the measures are short-term while others will take longer," she said. Bloom commended some hospitals have done well with surgery marathons in reducing the backlogs ,with Kalafong Hospital having eliminated their cataract backlog by doing 151 cataract surgeries in October last year. He has called on the Gauteng Premier to recognise this as a crisis that needs  provincial attention and resources.