Problems at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Eye Clinic
“4100 patients wait for a year for cataract operations”: Bloom
According to Jack Bloom Shadow MEC for Health in Gauteng, 4100 patients wait for a year for cataract operations at the St John’s Eye Clinic at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
It was disclosed yesterday by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu in an oral reply to questions raised in the Gauteng Legislature.
She said that the long waiting time is because the clinic is also servicing people from other provinces.
“She refused to answer me concerning the case of Selina Ntsoko, who applied for the Cataract Operation at the clinic on April 25, had to come back six times, and has been told that she must come back on February 28 next year because no lenses are available,” said Bloom.
Mahlangu said that cataract operations were also being done at the Bheki Mlangeni hospital in Jabulani in Soweto.
“It is shocking that so many people have to wait so long to get an operation to restore their sight.
“The patients who suffer are mostly elderly.
“Extra sessions should be arranged that include private surgeons to cut the waiting list as soon as possible,” said Bloom.
