Twenty patients helped in orthopedic surgery marathon

As a symbol of extraordinary commitment to improve the quality of life, cleaners, nurses and medical officers sacrificed their weekend at the Bongani Hospital to perform 20 Orthopedic Surgeries over the weekend of 11 and 12 November. Bongani Hospital caters for orthopaedic patients of Fezile Dabi, Lejweleputswa and the neighbouring provinces.

South Africa in general and the Free State in particular are known to have high levels of trauma as a result of road accidents and violence, amongst many causes.

The many orthopaedic cases cause serious backlogs in the health care system and lead to hospitals being overwhelmed and patients spending many days to months waiting to be operated.

In order to bring down the number of orthopaedic surgeries, many health facilities resort to embarking on orthopaedic marathons where they gather medical experts and financial resources and perform many of these procedures over a weekend or a week. Since September 2021, Bongani Hospital has performed in excess of 13 Orthopaedic Marathons which have restored the dignity of orthopaedic patients and improved their quality of life.

The rationale for these marathons is also a sign of commitment to the observance of professional oath by the health professionals and health workers who feel that they can’t standby and do nothing whilst their patients suffer the indignity of pain.

Bongani Hospital is doing its best to increase the capacity of its theatres. Orthopedic theatres are expected to run 24/7 but due to shortage of human and financial resources the theatres run 3 times a week from 08:00 – 16:00. The health system needs more nurses and doctors to run efficiently.

The Free State MEC for Health, Ms. Mathabo Leeto has applauded the decision by Bongani Hospital to embark on this marathon. “We appreciate the sacrifice and commitment of everyone that has lended a helping hand in the marathon. “We need more decisive actions that will improve the quality of life and prevent death” said Mathabo Leeto.

“A combination of many acts of kindness that are done in our health facilities such as Bongani Hospital are helping to improve the image of our health facilities. There is more good that is done here that is improving the quality of life. “

“Our commitment is to save lives and prevent death. We congratulate the 20 patients who received their orthopaedic surgeries this weekend adding to the more than 750 surgeries already performed this year since April,” concluded Leeto.