Gauteng hip surgery wait list stretches to ten years
via The Citizen3 min read
Patients in Gauteng are facing waiting times of three to ten years for hip replacement surgery in public hospitals. Gauteng Health MEC Faith Mazibuko attributed these delays to several factors, including a high proportion of undigitized backlog cases, theatre downtime due to equipment and staffing constraints, implant and consumable availability issues, and increased referrals to tertiary and central hospitals. Mazibuko also cited a water shortage in June that led to surgery cancellations and postponements, and frequent chiller breakages causing uncontrollable theatre temperatures. To address the crisis, she has pledged to recruit additional specialized clinicians and prioritize theatre equipment repairs. Chris Hani Baragwanath, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg, Helen Joseph, Tembisa, Kalafong, and Sebokeng hospitals have the longest waiting times for hip replacement surgery, while smaller facilities like Mamelodi, Edenvale, Leratong, Far East Rand, and Steve Biko Hospital have shorter waits. Jack Bloom, DA shadow health MEC, highlighted a case where a patient's knee operation at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital is scheduled for July 2032. Bloom stated that the extensive surgical backlog indicates a health system in crisis, causing patients to endure years of pain and disability, and that delayed treatment often worsens conditions and increases long-term costs. Lindiwe Mahlangu, a Positive Women Network Gauteng representative, condemned the situation, noting that over 26,000 pati
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