The Gauteng MEC for health and wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has commended the various teams that worked on Nelson Mandela International Day surgical marathons.
By Tuesday evening, over 720 elective surgeries were carried out by 32 facilities that took part in the marathons, said the department.
This was part of a campaign to tackle a backlog of 18 000 patients who have been awaiting surgical procedures. According to the department, the backlog was reduced from 32 000 at the beginning of the year.
Hundreds of patients who had been waiting to undergo surgical procedures ranging from plastic surgery, neurosurgery, urology, orthopaedics, hernia repair, prostate biopsy, colostomy closures, and many others now have their dignity restored.
“It is a job well done to the whole team. We set ourselves a target and we have been able to surpass that target,” said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.
“This milestone is a clear demonstration of the capacity we have within the Gauteng healthcare system.
“This demonstrates what can be achieved when we partner with multiple stakeholders to tackle issues confronting the healthcare system.
“The challenge we have set for the team now is replicating this success regularly through a series of marathons until we have eliminated the backlog.”
The Nelson Mandela International Day is in honour of of the former statesman. The day is celebrated every year on July 18, Mandela’s birthday.
It was officially declared by the UN in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on July 18 2010.
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