Patients with fractures admitted to Bophelong Hospital in Mahikeng, North West, are facing a healthcare crisis as they experience repeated surgical postponements without proper consultation or explanation. One patient, Kagiso Mangwejane, a DA councillor in Tswaing Local Municipality, shared his ordeal with Health-e News. He was admitted to the hospital for a fractured femur in May and waited two weeks for his operation. Despite multiple scheduled surgeries, his operation was postponed six times, with the latest delay attributed to the unavailability of theatre nurses. Eventually, his surgery was performed at the beginning of June, and he is currently recovering at home.
Mangwejane described the situation at Bophelong Provincial Hospital as a healthcare disaster, stating that the hospital is failing to fulfill its constitutional mandate to provide timely and adequate care. He expressed frustration over the prolonged immobilization, which left him in constant pain and unable to fulfill his responsibilities as a public servant and father. According to Mangwejane, his case is not isolated, as many other patients have faced similar delays.
Reports have surfaced of surgeries being postponed up to five consecutive times, leaving patients in limbo and causing unnecessary distress. Patients have shared their experiences of being told to fast overnight in preparation for surgery, only to be informed in the morning that the procedure was canceled due to a shortage of available nurses for the theatre. One patient, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted a month-long stay at the hospital where one leg was operated on promptly, but the other fractured leg had to wait an additional week due to a lack of necessary tools.
Another patient expressed disappointment over the postponement of their surgery, highlighting the violation of their right to healthcare as enshrined in the constitution. The delays not only cause emotional distress but also pose medical risks as patients’ conditions worsen while awaiting treatment. It is evident that Bophelong Hospital is grappling with severe staff shortages, poor planning, and internal system breakdowns, indicating a broader crisis in the provincial healthcare system.
In response to the situation, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tshegofatso Mothibedi, acknowledged the shortage of nurses at the hospital and stated that recruitment efforts are underway to address the staffing issues by June 30, 2025. Mothibedi explained that surgeries had been postponed due to staff shortages resulting from retirements, resignations, and unexpected sick leaves. The department plans to recruit more nurses and increase theatre times to manage the backlog of operations.
Mothibedi emphasized that it is not standard practice for patients to be discharged without undergoing surgery, except in emergency cases where stabilization is required before scheduling an elective procedure. Patients in need of urgent operations that cannot be performed internally are referred to other hospitals within the province. The department is committed to resolving the staffing challenges and improving the quality of care provided at Bophelong Hospital to ensure that patients receive timely and adequate treatment.
