According to the department, two of the province’s major central hospitals, Charlotte Maxeke academic hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath academic hospital , continue to see a large number of patients.
“In 2018 Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital admitted 43,529 patients, while Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital admitted 104,495 patients. Due to various reasons, such as a high number of acute and intensive care unit beds, patient-related issues, infrastructure and equipment-related issues, both hospitals had to cancel or defer planned theatre procedures,” said health department spokesperson Kwara Kekana.
She said Charlotte Maxeke hospital cancelled 2,036 procedures in 2018, while Baragwanath hospital deferred 1,979. “These procedures are then rescheduled at the earliest suitable time, taking into consideration factors that led to deferment,” Kekana said. The DA's health MPL, Jack Bloom, said 3,294 operations were cancelled at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital from January 2018 to the end of September this year. This was revealed by Gauteng health MEC Bandile Masuku in a written reply to questions in the Gauteng legislature.