Gauteng Department of Health Launches Second Edition of Surgical Marathon in Honour of Mandela Day

The Gauteng Department of Health is commencing the second edition of its Surgical Marathon initiative, paying tribute to the memory of the late Nelson Mandela on Mandela Day.

This initiative follows the remarkable success of the inaugural event in 2023, aimed at honoring Madiba’s legacy by making a tangible impact on the lives of others.

During the 2023 launch, the department addressed a historical backlog of 37,000 surgeries across 30 participating hospitals, ultimately clearing the backlog and providing relief to thousands of patients by the close of the 2023/2024 financial year.

The 2024 Surgical Marathon will prioritize expediting surgical procedures for patients currently on waiting lists in critical specialties such as paediatrics, orthopaedic, neurology, urology, myomectomy, and breast surgeries, among others.

The Honorable MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, will be present at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital today to oversee the ongoing surgical marathon and distribute donations to patients at the facility.

Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital is set to conduct over 120 surgical operations spanning various medical fields, with additional health facilities in the province participating in the surgical marathon effort.

Aligned with the 2024 Nelson Mandela Day theme, ‘It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity,’ which emphasizes the importance of taking actionable steps to eradicate poverty and inequality, the Gauteng Department of Health acknowledges that real change occurs when individuals and communities make meaningful contributions to better the lives of others.

Nelson Mandela International Day, celebrated annually on 18 July, commemorates the legacy of South Africa’s first democratically elected President, the esteemed Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.