Surgery backlog tops 6,500 in NC

THE DEMOCRATIC Alliance (DA) has called on the Northern Cape Department of Health to provide quarterly reports on the province's growing surgery backlog, which currently stands at 6,518 cases.

- DANIE VAN DER LITH

The party argues that transparency and regular updates are necessary to ensure that the backlog is effectively managed and does not continue to affect the quality of life of thousands of patients.

During a recent provincial legislature session, Health MEC Maruping Lekwene revealed the current breakdown of the backlog:

The backlog has seen significant fluctuations over the past two years. In May 2023, the waiting list stood at 4,000 cases but had doubled to 8,621 by December of the same year. While the numbers have declined slightly, the DA argues that the backlog remains "unacceptably high" and will take years to reduce to a manageable level.

Patients on the waiting list often experience severe consequences due to surgery delays. Many conditions worsen over time, leading to increased pain, disability, and even life-threatening complications. The DA notes that some patients are forced to leave their jobs while awaiting surgery, adding financial strain to their already challenging circumstances.