Pretoria - Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu says she is confident that the department will succeed in bringing down surgical backlogs and waiting times in Gauteng hospitals.
The department on Tuesday said the MEC announced that Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital is experiencing backlogs in surgery due to limited theatre time, shortage of equipment and Intensive Care Unit beds, donor shortages for liver transplant and no show of booked patients.
“The department will continue to implement the strategy to improve the situation, this includes prioritising emergency cases and improving the management of Health facilities,” said the MEC.
As a means of intervention to reduce the waiting lists and periods, the department said some of the surgical procedures are already performed at Edenvale and Tambo Memorial Hospitals.
Gauteng Health Department said minor operations are referred and performed at some health facilities in the Johannesburg Cluster accordingly.
According to the department, Charlotte Maxeke has about 2 246 patients waiting for surgery.
“It is paramount indicating that the Hospital has deferred about 355 operations due to limited resources and lack of cooperation from some booked patients,” the department said.
MEC Mahlangu also said the 355 deferred includes the transplants, vascular surgery, upper, HBO and colorectal, trauma and breast, endocrine, sarcoma, melanoma, and head and neck.
“Whilst the number of patients on the waiting period is evidently high, the department is working tirelessly to improve the situation, our health professionals are giving their utmost best to ensure that all patients receive treatment when it is due,” she said. - SAnews.gov.za
