By 
JOHANNESBURG — Public health facilities across Gauteng have cleared over half of their targeted surgical operations in the ongoing 2026 Mandela Month Surgical Marathon, delivering critical interventions to hundreds of long-waiting patients across the province.
Following the Nelson Mandela Day weekend, multidisciplinary clinical teams completed 687 surgeries and clinical procedures, surpassing 52% of the overall provincial pledge to deliver 1,326 procedures this month.
Escalating Capacity and Backlog Reduction
The marathon, which commenced on 11 July and runs through 31 July 2026, forms part of the Gauteng Department of Health’s broader Treatment Time Guarantees (TTG) Programme. Designed to address elective surgery backlogs, the initiative optimizes operating theatre utilization, improves patient flow, and accelerates specialized healthcare delivery across public hospitals.
With 687 procedures completed in under two weeks, performance has already exceeded 85% of the total 806 procedures performed during the entire 2025 Mandela Month campaign. Health authorities highlight this leap as evidence of expanded clinical capacity and improved operational efficiency within the provincial health network.
“For many patients, these procedures represent far more than medical interventions. They restore sight, improve mobility, relieve pain and provide an opportunity to return to work, school and family life after months, and in some instances years, of waiting for treatment.”
Specialty Breakdown
Ophthalmology led the clinical volume, driven largely by vision-restoration surgeries, followed by maternal health and general surgical interventions.
- Ophthalmology: 273 procedures
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology: 88 procedures
- General Surgery: 73 procedures
- Orthopaedic Surgery: 40 procedures
- Breast Surgery: 34 procedures
- Urology: 29 procedures
- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery: 26 procedures
Teams also executed complex interventions in neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, surgical gastroenterology, burn management, and maxillofacial and oral surgery.
Leading Hospital Output
Major academic and tertiary institutions across Gauteng delivered the bulk of surgical outputs over the holiday weekend:
| Facility Name | Completed Procedures |
| Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital | 156 |
| Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital | 80 |
| Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital | 79 |
| Steve Biko Academic Hospital | 58 |
| Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital | 56 |
Other participating provincial facilities are scheduled to maintain continuous theatre lists through the end of the month to fulfill their remaining commitments.
Outlook to 31 July
The Department commended surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, theatre staff, and administrative teams who dedicated their Mandela Day weekend to volunteer services and extended shifts.
Healthcare leadership remains confident that participating facilities will sustain momentum through 31 July to achieve the final target of 1,326 procedures, providing long-term structural relief to Gauteng’s public health waiting lists.
