6000 WAIT FOR CATARACT SURGERY IN GAUTENG

6031 patients wait for cataract surgery in Gauteng state hospitals, which can take up to three years.

This is revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

The longest waiting list and waiting time is at Chris Hani Baragwanath, where 3091 patients wait three years from diagnosis to operation.

At the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital, 1800 patients wait two years for surgery.

Waiting lists and waiting times are much shorter at the other 11 hospitals that do cataract surgery, usually weeks or months.

The fastest surgery is at Tembisa Hospital, where 57 patients will be done in one to two weeks.

But no cataract operations have been done at the Jubilee Hospital in north Gauteng for two years because there is no ophthalmologist.

According to Mahlangu, the long waiting periods are because of budgetary constraints and the prioritisation of emergency eye surgery caused mainly by trauma.

I am concerned that the largest backlog is at Chis Hani Baragwanath because of staff and equipment shortages at the St John's Eye Clinic.

This clinic is drastically under-staffed, with19 vacancies out of 40 positions.

It is inhumane that many elderly patients have to wait years to regain their sight.

Special measures should be taken to cut the backlog, including a partnership with the private sector and extended theatre hours.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, November 6 2014

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter