Nkomo-Ralehoko says power cuts, water shortages reasons for Gauteng's long surgery waiting list
In a written legislature response, Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said persistent water shortages have also led to postponements of major operations.
FILE: Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko (centre). Picture: @NkomoNomantu/X
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Department of Health said that a high number of patients and load shedding were among the reasons it had over 34,000 patients on its waiting-list for surgeries at its public hospitals.
In a written legislature response, Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said that persistent water shortages had also led to postponements of major operations.
Affected surgeries included cataract procedures, hip and knee replacements, and gynaecology surgeries.
The hardest hit facilities include the Steve Biko Hospital, followed by the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, George Mukhari Hospital, and Charlotte Maxeke Hospital.
Waiting times differ depending on the surgery, with some patients waiting up to two years for a cataract removal at the Mamelodi and Yusuf Dadoo hospitals, while others wait only one to two months at Leratong Hospital.
Similarly, patients at Kalafong Hospital can wait up to five years for hip surgery, while others wait three to six months for the same procedure at the George Mukhari Hospital.
The Democratic Alliance (DA)’s health spokesperson in Gauteng, Jack Bloom, said that more needed to be done to address the issue.
"People are in pain, they are suffering. The Gauteng Health Department needs to do something radical to make sure these terribly long surgery waiting lists are cut as soon as possible."
Nkomo-Ralehoko said increasing staff capacity had helped to reduce waiting times.