MBOMBELA – The only orthopaedic surgeon at Rob Ferreira Hospital, which has a backlog of more than 1 000 patients in need of elective orthopaedic surgery, has resigned. However, the Department of Health is confident that the situation won’t deteriorate any further as they have headhunted other doctors and are in the process of finalising their appointments.
Dr André Troskie’s employment at the hospital will end on June 30. Lowvelder had been confidentially informed of his planned resignation months ago. An informed source, who works for the department, told the newspaper that Troskie was seeking employment in another “more functional” health department. “Mpumalanga’s department only believes in crisis management and hasn’t started advertising orthopaedic consultant positions yet. If they don’t appoint someone if and when Dr Troskie resigns, the delivery of orthopaedic services at the hospital will be absolutely chaotic,” the source warned.
Mr Ronnie Masilela, spokesman for the department, on enquiry said,”It is hoped that we will have this process (finalising the headhunted doctors’ appointments) by June 30. So in our view, work will proceed as normal.”
Lowvelder has reported extensively on the massive backlog in orthopaedic surgery at the hospital. The 1 000 patients on the waiting list typically need hip- and knee replacements or have even sustained fractures that need to be fixated in theatre, but since they are not considered emergencies, they have to wait several months before they get to lie on the operating table.
One of these patients are Mr Morné Erasmus who sustained a fracture to his left upper arm on January 30 in a motorcycle accident. His arm was merely fitted with plaster and several X-rays that have been taken since, indicated that the fracture hasn’t even begun to heal. He is paralysed in the underarm and has not been able to work since.
He has sought help at Themba Hospital and state hospitals in Gauteng, but to no avail. Local private surgeons have offered to help him at a decreased fee, but he is still trying to obtain the necessary funds.
