Gauteng hospitals perform over 800 surgeries in 12 hours for Mandela Day
Image: Pixabay/pexels
In a powerful tribute to Nelson Mandela's legacy, Gauteng's public hospitals successfully performed over 800 life-changing surgeries on Mandela Day, July 18.
According to the Gauteng Department of Health, 806 surgical procedures were completed across 29 institutions within 12 hours, surpassing the 742 surgeries conducted in 2024.
'This is 64 surgeries more than was the case in 2024 (742). The surgical marathon will continue, however, continue to run until the end of July 2025,' the Department said.
The initiative, now in its third year, focused on critical surgeries such as cleft palate repair, cataract surgery, colostomy reversal, and prostate procedures. These were performed alongside general surgeries to improve the independence and well-being of patients across the province.
MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, praised the collaborative effort.
'Since we embarked on the surgical marathons three years ago, each year we surpass the target of the previous year as we strive to do more to make a difference. The work we do during this period is over and above the normal elective surgeries done by our facilities,' said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
The Mandela Day Surgical Marathons were supported by healthcare professionals, university students, and partners such as the Smile Foundation and Dr SK Matseke Hospital.
In a major development to further healthcare delivery, Gauteng also became the first provincial health department in South Africa to introduce Treatment Time Guarantees (TTGs), a framework designed to reduce surgical waiting times and ensure accountability in patient care.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
'This innovative framework is implemented to improve access to surgical care, promote transparency and strengthen public health accountability,' the statement noted. TTGs establish maximum allowable waiting times based on urgency and clinical need.
Speaking at the launch, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko highlighted the impact.
'Gauteng is taking a historic step in transforming surgical care by introducing the Treatment Time Guarantees. We are leading the way by ensuring that patients receive the surgeries they need without unnecessary delays. This framework empowers us to actively manage waiting lists and enhance the quality of care for all.'
She further emphasised that this groundbreaking innovation underscores our commitment to improved healthcare delivery in Gauteng, drawing from global best practices while tailoring the TTG framework to meet the unique needs of our healthcare system.
The province also marked additional milestones, including the reopening of a newly refurbished Urology Unit at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. The unit is now capable of conducting safer, more precise prostate biopsies without surgical theatres.
Moreover, Helen Joseph Hospital's Breast Centre of Excellence has been upgraded to improve imaging, testing, and early diagnosis of breast cancer.
'This facility will expand treatment services and provide a welcoming, dignified space for care, bringing hope to patients and families during their most vulnerable moments,' the Department said.
IOL News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Celebrating Mandela Day: 39 women receive life-saving surgeries through Project Flamingo
Project Flamingo's team came together to perform lifesaving surgeries for women battling breast cancer on Mandela Day. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers Thirty-nine women underwent lifesaving surgeries thanks to Project Flamingo for Mandela Day. Project Flamingo is a South African non-profit organisation that supports women battling breast cancer in the public healthcare sector. Project Flamingo CEO and founder, Dr Liana Roodt, said Mandela Day 2025 was a record-breaking year for them from a surgical standpoint. 'The most surgeries that we've done on Mandela Day previously were 35 surgeries. So this year we managed to do 39. We aimed to do 40, but unfortunately, one patient had to be postponed for medical reasons,' Roodt said. Surgeries were performed at Groote Schuur Hospital, Tygerberg Hospital, George Regional Hospital, Livingstone Hospital, and Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape on Saturday. Roodt said that this Mandela Day, they wanted to push themselves once again to do as much as they could in honour of Nelson Mandela, a great man, and they did that. A Record-Breaking Day: 39 women receive essential surgeries, showcasing the power of community and commitment to healthcare. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers 'We didn't make our 40 surgeries, but we came pretty close… but I think we've accomplished everything that we set out to accomplish and more,' Roodt said. What also made it special was launching the Make Room for Her campaign, to educate people about what else needs to be done in the system besides pushing for more timely surgeries for their breast cancer patients, Roodt explained. There is a need to create space for her in budgets, the theatre, and the clinic. Furthermore, this inclusion should extend to conversations, policy, and various other areas. Roodt said Project Flamingo aims to expedite and dignify patient treatment by intervening at each stage of the pathway. 'This year was a testament again to what happens if ordinary South Africans decide they want to come together and they want to do something, because to pull all that number of big surgeries takes tremendous team effort and an incredible commitment from so many people, and to see people once again just coming together,' Roodt said. She said that at Groote Schuur Hospital, two patients received mastectomies with reconstruction. Roodt said the female surgical ward at Livingstone Hospital was in a dire state. There were no curtains around the bed, no bed linen, and the ward looked quite sad and neglected. 'Our volunteer team went in there this week and made the ward beautiful. Curtains were hung, bed linen was provided, basins were replaced, mirrors were put up, and it looks like a beautiful, healing and dignified space,' Roodt said. 'That is something that we haven't done before, and it's unique, and I think we're very proud of it.' Project Flamingo pushes boundaries to provide timely and compassionate care for breast cancer patients. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers Breast cancer survivor and Project Flamingo volunteer Megan Jacobs discovered a lump in her right breast in September 2023. She consulted her GP and went for a mammogram and ultrasound. In October 2023, she underwent her first biopsy. In November 2023, at 34, she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. 'It was one of the hardest moments of my life. Although breast cancer runs in my family, it was a shock because I was young. I thought I was living a healthy lifestyle,' Jacobs said. She said she leaned on God and had support from her family and fiancée. Jacobs underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy and decided to have a bilateral mastectomy, but her surgery was a bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy. 'Through my journey, every follow-up or everything that I do, just waking up every day, is just a reminder of how far I've come and that I have been given a second chance. Last Mandela Day, Jacobs had the first surgery of the day. On Mandela Day, the Project Flamingo team united to perform life-saving surgeries for women fighting breast cancer. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers 'Project Flamingo gave me hope when I needed it the most. They have held me during the most vulnerable time in my life. They also made it possible for me to have a life-changing surgery,' Jacobs said. She said volunteering was like a full circle moment because she could give back and honour the gift she was given. 'I went to see the patients on Friday, and then I was also at the surgeries yesterday (Saturday),' Jacobs said. 'Chatting to these patients, I could see myself in them. Sharing my story just gave them peace and hope. 'I feel like I now have some form of purpose, and I'm just so privileged and so honoured to be a part of an organisation that does life-altering surgeries, and you know that helps women in need,' Jacobs said. [email protected]
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Gauteng Hospitals achieve record 806 surgeries on Mandela Day
The Gauteng Department of Health has introduced South Africa's first Treatment Time Guarantees system. Gauteng public hospitals made medical history on Friday by performing 806 surgical procedures in a 12-hour surgical marathon across 29 institutions. The achievement marks the third edition of the Mandela Day Surgical Marathon initiative and represents a significant increase from the 742 surgeries performed in the previous year. According to the Gauteng Department of Health, the province has become the first in South Africa to introduce Treatment Time Guarantees (TTGs), a framework designed to eliminate unnecessary delays in surgical care. Surgical marathon continues The surgical procedures were completed by 7pm on 18 July, surpassing last year's performance by 64 operations. 'The surgical marathon will continue, however, to run until the end of July 2025,' said Motalatale Modiba, Head of Communication at the Gauteng Department of Health. This year's procedures focused on critical specialities, including cleft palate repair, cataract surgery, colostomy reversal, and prostate procedures. The operations aimed to enhance patient independence and overall well-being, alongside general surgical interventions. MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko emphasised the initiative's growing success. 'Since we embarked on the surgical marathons three years ago, each year we surpass the target of the previous year as we strive to do more to make a difference. The work we do during this period is over and above the normal elective surgeries done by our facilities,' she explained. ALSO READ: Gauteng gets R67bn to fix hospitals, slash waiting times and rescue public health Pioneering treatment time guarantees framework The Gauteng Department of Health has introduced South Africa's first Treatment Time Guarantees system. The innovative approach establishes maximum allowable waiting times for various surgical procedures based on urgency and clinical condition. 'This innovative framework is implemented to improve access to surgical care, promote transparency and strengthen public health accountability,' Modiba stated. The strategic reform aims to streamline surgical care access, prioritise patient needs and hold healthcare facilities accountable for timely treatment delivery. ALSO READ: Gauteng Health dismisses linen shortage claims at Bheki Mlangeni Hospital Historic healthcare transformation Speaking at the TTG launch, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko highlighted the province's leadership role. 'Gauteng is taking a historic step in transforming surgical care by introducing the Treatment Time Guarantees. We are leading the way by ensuring that patients receive the surgeries they need without unnecessary delays. 'This framework empowers us to actively manage waiting lists and enhance the quality of care for all,' she said. The MEC added that the initiative draws from international best practices. 'This groundbreaking innovation underscores our commitment to improved healthcare delivery in Gauteng, drawing from global best practices while tailoring the TTG framework to meet the unique needs of our healthcare system,' she noted. ALSO READ: New board members across Gauteng hospitals Facility upgrades enhance patient care Alongside the surgical marathon, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko reopened the newly refurbished Urology Unit at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. The upgraded facility can now offer safer, more precise prostate biopsies without requiring a surgical theatre. Additionally, the Helen Joseph Hospital Breast Centre of Excellence has also been reopened with enhanced capabilities. Nkomo-Ralehoko said the upgraded facility will improve early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer through advanced imaging and testing equipment. READ NEXT: DA disputes Gauteng health's denial of hospital linen shortage
Eyewitness News
8 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Gauteng Health Dept conducted 806 surgical procedures on Mandela Day
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Department of Health said it conducted 806 surgical procedures on Nelson Mandela Day and plans to continue with mass surgeries until the end of July. Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko praised healthcare workers for their commitment, saying staff across the department demonstrated their dedication to saving lives in honour of Madiba. She also announced the official opening of a newly refurbished breast cancer centre at Helen Joseph Hospital. Nkomo-Ralehoko said the facility will enhance early detection and diagnosis, while also expanding treatment services. 'I am excited again because people are starting to assist those people that are suffering on breast cancer. They are assisting them there a quite a number of things that when you see those people that are not well in the communities, having problems when now we know that Mandela Day will be the day we target those specific cases.'
