The casualty department at Leratong Hospital was overwhelmed this past weekend with 102 patients on Saturday night, 29 June, 58 of whom had suffered serious trauma.
“Some of these patients only received treatment by midday on Sunday,” says DA Gauteng Health spokesperson Jack Bloom.
All doctors were on duty, but could not cope with the large number and severity of the injuries.
Three patients were partially disembowelled and had to have their stomachs sown back in – an operation that takes more than three hours.
“According to the staff, casualties increase dramatically at the end of the month and over weekends.”
Leratong Hospital serves the entire West Rand and even patients from Roodepoort in Johannesburg.
“It needs more staff and facilities in order to cope with casualties.”
Prevention programmes should also focus on alcohol abuse as this is a major cause of injuries.
