By Mapaballo Borotho
- Patients at OR Tambo Memorial Hospital are reportedly facing up to two-month waits for surgery, according to the DA.
- The party blames theatre renovations, but the Gauteng Health Department denies this, saying all theatres are fully operational.
- Officials insist surgeries are continuing as scheduled, with urgent cases prioritised.
Patients at OR Tambo Memorial Hospital in the City of Ekurhuleni are reportedly waiting up to two months for life-changing surgeries, sparking concern over delays in critical care.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng claims the backlog is due to ongoing renovations in the hospital’s operating theatres, and has called on the provincial government to urgently intervene and prioritise patients.
However, the Gauteng Department of Health has rejected these claims.
Spokesperson Kealeboga Mohajane said no patients have been turned away due to infrastructure issues and denied that any renovations are currently taking place in the theatre complex.
“There are currently no renovations taking place within the operating theatre complex at Tambo Memorial Hospital. All six theatres are fully functional and operational, and surgical services continue without disruption,” Mohajane said.
She added that only routine maintenance on air-handling units is underway, ensuring proper temperature regulation in theatres.
According to the department, elective surgeries are proceeding according to established booking systems, while emergency and urgent cases continue to be prioritised without delay.
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