Some patients in the public sector wait longer than seven years to undergo procedures and the backlog in state hospitals for procedures is now in excess of 170 000, Health Minister Joe Phaahla revealed in a parliamentary response.

According to a Beeld report, the backlog figure could even be higher as some provinces did not provide their updated waiting lists to the national department.

The largest backlogs are in the Western Cape (77 137), Limpopo (45 690), and KZN (17 906).

FF Plus MP Phillip van Staden, who posed the question to Phaahla, said the figures are ‘shocking’ and shows that the National Health Insurance Bill should be shelved immediately.

‘It will only aggravate the crisis. The mismanagement, corruption and maladministration must be eradicated. Only then will it be possible to consider the NHI. If we push it through now, we will face a bigger crisis.’

Phaahla’s answer revealed that patients in Gauteng wait up to seven years for orthopaedic services, and two years for general surgery.

In KZN, there is a waiting time for urological procedures of between 12 months and three years.

Phaahla said the provincial departments have plans to eradicate the backlogs. This includes using designated Covid-19 wards for surgery, to appoint more personnel, and to schedule procedures for weekends.

Full Beeld report (subscription needed)