Gauteng Health exceeds final Mandela Month surgical target with 1,337 procedures

By Charmaine Ndlela 

The Gauteng Department of Health says it exceeded the final target for its Mandela Month Surgical Marathon after completing 1,337 surgeries and clinical procedures across the province.

The total was 11 procedures above the final target of 1,326, representing about 100.8% of the department’s pledge.

The campaign was initially launched with a pledge to complete 1,078 surgeries and clinical procedures at 19 public hospitals. The target was subsequently increased as more facilities and services participated in the initiative.

The marathon, which ran from 11 to 31 July, formed part of the department’s efforts to reduce surgical waiting lists, improve access to specialist healthcare services and restore dignity to patients who had been waiting months, and in some cases years, for treatment.

According to the department, the campaign was implemented across 28 public health facilities, including 25 hospitals, one specialised oral health centre and two community health centres.