The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has dismissed claims by the DA that non-elective surgeries at Tambo Memorial Hospital have been placed on the back burner until June 2027 due to “essential maintenance” within the hospital.
On Thursday, DA Gauteng health spokesperson Madeleine Hicklin, alongside DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, briefed the media on alleged damning evidence highlighting the gravity posed by delays to some surgical operations at the hospital.Â
According to reports, some patients have allegedly been informed that they will be waiting until 2027 for their operations.
In light of these claims, the DA is demanding immediate patient referrals and accountability regarding the failures that have been festering within the provincial health system.
Hicklin pointed out that the GDoH’s previous assurance on March 25, 2026, promising completion of renovations to the operating theatre complex within two months, had not materialised.
“In fact, MEC Faith Mazibuko revealed that the updated completion date from GDoH has now been extended to October 31, 2026.”
Hicklin stated that this inconsistency by the GDoH has left many affected patients concerned, further accusing the MEC of denying that surgical procedures have been postponed, despite acknowledging a surgical theatre utilisation rate of 90% in written replies before the Gauteng Legislature.
“The written replies received from MEC Mazibuko confirm that refurbishments have not been completed within two months as previously committed. The estimated date of completion is now October 31, 2026. Remarkably, the MEC denies that the hospital has postponed surgical procedures, citing a theatre surgical rate of 90%,” Hicklin alleged.
The DA also noted that the continued failure to arrange referrals is not only unacceptable but is a sign of a lack of empathy with the plight of patients left waiting in pain.
Hicklin further stated: “It is yet another reminder that simply reshuffling MECs cannot fix a department crippled by systemic mismanagement.”
However, reacting to the claims, departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona indicated that elective surgical services continue to be provided daily in accordance with the Treatment Time Guarantees (TTG) Programme.
“We continue to provide elective surgical services in accordance with our TTG programme, which strengthens the management of surgical waiting lists and improves patient access to surgery through effective theatre utilisation and clinical prioritisation. Where operational or clinical considerations require certain procedures to be rescheduled, patients remain under active clinical management,” he stated.
Furthermore, Mabona dismissed reports of renovations at the hospital, stating: “The department confirms that there are no major theatre renovations currently taking place at Tambo Memorial Hospital.
“Maintenance work is being undertaken on the air handling units to ensure that temperature and ventilation systems continue to meet the strict environmental and infection prevention standards required for safe surgical procedures.”
Siyabonga Sithole
iol.co.za
