Voluntary surgeons to help clear hospital backlog

The Eastern Cape health department has roped in two top orthopaedic surgeons to perform a series of free operations at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital this week.

Health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the department hoped to perform between 25 and 30 orthopaedic procedures from Monday to Friday as it attempted to clear a backlog of 80 operations.

“The hospital will use internal staff for this exercise,” Kupelo said.

“CMH does not have a specialist orthopaedic surgeon, but has sourced voluntary support from two skilled surgeons from

Frontier Hospital [in Komani] and Johannesburg to mitigate the risk.”

The campaign will target the most urgent cases, prioritising patients based on medical needs and available resources.

“As of the latest assessment, about 80 patients in the CMH area are awaiting orthopaedic surgery.

“The backlog has accumulated due to various factors, including resource constraints, scheduling challenges and increased demand for orthopaedic services.”

One of the two specialists, Dr Boysier Muballe, from Frontier Hospital, said: “We are happy to serve our patients and Eastern Cape communities.

“It feels good to make a change in a patient’s life.”

Muballe will be accompanied by Dr Anathi Ngcakani from Edenvale Hospital.

Muballe said the procedures would take about an hour per patient, “depending on the severity of the case”.

The department prides itself on producing super-specialists in various disciplines within the clinical services.

“In the past the Eastern Cape struggled to attract skills to the province,” Muballe said.

“The strategy of funding specialised medical officers is now benefiting our patients’ lives.”

Kupelo said the orthopaedic backlog was a significant burden on the healthcare system and resulted in prolonged suffering and decreased quality of life for patients.

Orthopaedic surgery was crucial for patients suffering from musculoskeletal conditions.

The health department had identified a number of potential risks and challenges regarding the needs of orthopaedic patients.

Kupelo said there was an increased need for devices such as crutches and walking frames.

“The need is projected to be 30 crutches and 10 walking frames, which will cost about R10,500 in total.”

Another issue affecting the department was patients’ transport.

The rise in the number of patients would lead to pressure on beds at CMH and would require co-ordination with emergency medical services (EMS) to minimise delays in transfers to and from the hospital.

“Addressing the backlog of orthopaedic surgeries in CMH is a pressing priority that requires immediate action,” Kupelo said.

“The proposed campaign presents a timely opportunity to make significant strides towards reducing this backlog and improving healthcare outcomes for affected individuals.”

Mthatha has been identified as the next focus area in the department’s campaign to clear backlogs.