On July 18th, 2023, the Gauteng Department of Health and Wellness exceeded its goal by conducting 720 elective surgeries across 32 facilities on Nelson Mandela Day. This achievement significantly reduced the surgical backlog from 32,000 patients to 18,000 since the year’s beginning. The surgical marathons aimed to address the backlog and restore dignity and hope to hundreds of individuals.
Surpassing the Target
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, expressed her immense appreciation for the teams involved in making the event a resounding success. The wide range of surgeries carried out included plastic surgery, neurosurgery, urology, orthopedics, hernia repair, prostate biopsy, colostomy closures, and many more.
Nkomo-Ralehoko congratulated the teams and stated that surpassing the target served as an example of the capacity within Gauteng’s healthcare system. The MEC set a new challenge for the team to replicate this success regularly through a series of marathons until the backlog is entirely eliminated.
Mandela Day and Its Theme
Mandela Day is an annual event that occurs on July 18th to remember and honor the life of Nelson Mandela. This year’s theme, “It is in your hands,” marked the tenth anniversary of Mandela’s passing. The Nelson Mandela Foundation’s call to action was aptly named “The Legacy Lives on Through You,” encouraging individuals to carry forward Mandela’s spirit and principles.
Collaboration and Dedication
The surgical marathon project undertaken by Gauteng Health showcases the power of collaboration and dedication when addressing significant challenges. By offering patients the medical care they have been waiting for, these surgical marathons restored dignity and hope to hundreds of people on Mandela Day.
As the healthcare teams continue with their mission to eliminate the surgical backlog, they not only honor Nelson Mandela’s legacy but also showcase the potential within South Africa’s healthcare system. This achievement exemplifies what can be accomplished when diverse stakeholders come together to work towards a common goal, striving for a better and healthier South Africa for all its citizens.
For more information, please contact Motalatale Modiba, Head of Communication, at healthmediaenquiries@gauteng.gov.za or Tshepo Shawa, Spokesperson for the MEC for Health, at Tshepo.Shawa@gauteng.gov.za.
