Question NW2617 to the Minister of Health
22 September 2023 - NW2617
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Health
(a) What is the current status of the backlog on elective surgeries in the (i) Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberly and (ii) in the province and (b) how does he plan to address the issue of elective surgery backlogs in each province?
Reply:
The Honourable Member is kindly referred to the attached Annexure 1, containing the response to the same question asked by Honourable Christians of the DA.
END.
Annexure 1
NCOP
QUESTION: 187
FOR ORAL REPLY
DATE: 06 SEPTEMBER 2023
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 25 AUGUST 2023
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 30)
Ms D C Christians (Northern Cape: DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(a) What is the current surgery backlog at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley and (b) to what extent are elective surgeries taking place as opposed to emergency operations? CO724E
REPLY:
a) According to the Northern Cape Department of Health, the current surgical backlog at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley is standing at 6000 cases as at 31 August 2023. This backlog was accumulated during the Covid-19 period. The following table shows the breakdown per specialty field:
|
Area |
Surgery backlog |
Type |
Waiting time |
|
Urology |
471 |
Multiple type of operations |
20 months |
|
General surgery |
201 |
Multiple type of operations |
4-5 months |
|
Orthopaedics |
Emergency – 41 Elective – 481 Arthroplasty – 509 Hands – 131 Wards – 59 Total = 1221 |
Multiple type of operations |
2-3 months |
|
Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) |
977 |
Multiple types of operations |
6 months |
|
Ophthalmology |
Cataract – 2060 Other – 634 Total 2694 |
Blind patients Partially sighted Pterygium Oculoplastic and strabismus Children with squint |
2-3 months |
|
Plastic Surgery |
52 electives |
Multiple type of operations |
No waiting time |
|
Oral and Maxillo-Facial |
65 patients |
Multiple type of operations |
No waiting time |
|
Obstetrics and Gyneacology |
250 patients |
Multiple type of operations |
Gynae 6 months |
b) Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital has the possibility to operate in 8 theatres, but due to severe speciality nursing staff shortage the hospital can only operate in 3 theatres on a daily basis Monday to Friday. One operating theatre is reserved for elective surgeries which are performed daily from 08h00 - 16h00 Monday to Friday.
Emergency surgeries are done daily on a 24/7 surgical list basis. During weekends the hospital only performs emergency cases. The average number of emergencies per week is 105 cases.
END.