BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE -The Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi has reported that 72 bone patients, out of a weekly target of 80, were successfully operated during last week’s Orthopaedic Camp exercise that took place from August 7 and ends today.
The Minister repeated that a majority of the patients are now discharged and await post-operation review, while the second cycle of the exercise will be announced once a review has been made. The ortho-surgical camp was considered for regional hospitals in the future.
This comes after about 400 patients had to bear the pain without seeing an orthopaedist as the government had none to perform surgeries.
Nkosi added that the ‘Orthopaedic Camp’ was strictly for patients who had already been seen by doctors and were listed to await surgical operations. This process, as reported by this publication, began on Monday and will continue until last Saturday.
Nkosi further said during the first day of the surgeries, a total of 16 patients were operated on, which were nine males, three females and four children. She said the weekly target will be 80 patients until all the listed 400 patients on the waiting list were all covered.
“However, there will be a time in between the weekly cycles to enable resource mobilisation and programme improvements. Patients awaiting bone surgical operations are advised to keep their communication lines open, as they will be contacted about their operation dates. Patients are requested not to come to Mbabane Government Hospital until they are contacted,” she said.
Nkosi added that the ‘Orthopaedic Camp’ had been made possible by orthopaedic surgeons, who were sourced from the private sector, Taiwan and Cuba, including experienced medical officers, nurses, anaesthetists and other healthcare workers, who were mobilised from other health facilities to assist.
The minister further appreciated the proactive efforts of the hospital’s management and their teams in ensuring that the backlog of orthopaedic patients in need of surgery was attended to.
“The ministry would like to appreciate the pro-active efforts of the hospital management and their teams in ensuring that the backlog of orthopaedic patients is attended to. The ministry remains committed to improving the health and functionality of all emaSwati,” read the statement.
