GAUTENG MEC FOR HEALTH ADMITS TO SURGICAL BACKLOGS AT CHARLOTTE MAXEKE AND ANNOUNCE INTERVENTIONS

2 June 2015

Gauteng MEC for Health Qedani Mahlangu has 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.

Charlotte Maxeke has about 2 246 patients waiting for surgery. It is paramount indicating that the Hospital has differed about 355 operations due to limited resources and lack of cooperation from some booked patients.

As a means of intervention to reduce the waiting lists and periods, some of the surgical procedures are already performed at Edenvale and Tambo Memorial Hospitals. Furthermore, minor operations are referred and performed at some Health Facilities in the Johannesburg Cluster accordingly.

“I am confident that, we will succeed in our endeavour to bring down surgical backlogs and waiting times in Gauteng Hospitals. The department will continue to implement the strategy to improve the situation, this includes prioritising emergency cases and improve the management of Health facilities.

MEC Mahlangu further indicated that the 355 deferred includes the following categories; 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” concluded MEC Mahlangu.

Statement issued by Gauteng Department of Health Spokesperson, Steve Mabona, June 2 2015