Gauteng Health MEC gives hope to patients awaiting surgical procedures
Gauteng MEC for Health Dr Gwen Ramokgopa is undertaking visits to public health central hospitals, which started at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH) yesterday. Today it continued at Steve Biko Academic Hospital where she had an opportunity to wish Professor Mashudu Tshifularo and his team good luck as they were performing a pioneering surgical procedure using 3D-printed middle ear bones.
The main aim for the MEC’s visits in this regard is to assess the situation in surgical wards and theatres at central hospitals in a bid to help them get more theatre time. This initiative will enable the hospital to reduce backlog of surgical procedures and help more patients who are awaiting their turn to be operated, especially in the Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Orthopedics departments.
The MEC pronounced that the solution to alleviate this backlog at DGMAH is completion of the process of building the Soshanguve District Hospital which is progressing slowly due to land issues. The MEC sent a letter of request to facilitate handover of the site where the hospital is going to be built to the constructors so that they can start with the construction process.
The other immediate interim solution to reduce this backlog will be the use of theatre in private hospitals as their theatre time is accommodative. The Department is working in partnership with private sector through Hospital Association of South Africa, particularly Mediclinic who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department, and already the collaboration has been successfully tested and ready to be expanded.
“Private hospitals will provide theatre time mainly with the Department having to supply consumables and the workforce for these operations. I’m happy that our Management, Specialists, Registrars and Nurses are happy about this arrangement and are also prepared to make the intervention work best for their patients,” said MEC Ramokgopa.
Of the four Central Hospitals – Steve Biko, DGMAH, Chris Hani Barangwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) and Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital – the program will prioritize the two situated in townships being DGMAH and CHBAH.
“The population in Gauteng over the past 25 years of democracy has doubled and patient visits have more than tripled. The over 40 Primary Health Care facilities and seven hospitals constructed in this period have proved not enough to meet demands.
“The progress being made with the Polokwane Academic Hospital will both help the patients from Limpopo access specialized quality services closer to home and on the other hand relief the high demand on DGMAH,” said MEC.
Enquiries:
Khutso Rabothata
Cell: 060 997 7066
E-mail: mediaenquiries@gauteng.gov.za
