Baragwanath leads Gauteng hospitals in Mandela Month surgical marathon

Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital has recorded the most procedures so far in Gauteng’s 2026 Mandela Month Surgical Marathon, helping the province reach more than half of its pledged target for the campaign.

Who is leading the push

Baragwanath completed 156 procedures to date, the highest number among participating hospitals. Other leading facilities and their completed procedure counts are:

• Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital: 80
• Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital: 79
• Steve Biko Academic Hospital: 58
• Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital: 56

Province passes halfway mark

The Gauteng Department of Health reported that public hospitals across the province have completed 687 surgeries and clinical procedures, passing the halfway point of the 1 326 procedures pledged for this year’s programme. That represents 52% of the overall target.

“Participating hospitals have maintained strong momentum throughout the campaign.”

Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Steve Mabona said the achievement reflected teams using the Mandela Day weekend to treat patients who had been waiting for surgery.

Scope of the programme

The Surgical Marathon began on 11 July and runs until 31 July. It is part of the department’s broader Treatment Time Guarantees programme, which aims to improve patient flow, optimise theatre utilisation and ensure patients requiring surgery receive appropriate care.

Types of procedures completed

By specialty, ophthalmology recorded the highest number of completed procedures with 273. Other completed-procedure totals include:

• Obstetrics and gynaecology: 88
• General surgery: 73
• Orthopaedic surgery: 40
• Breast surgery: 34
• Urology: 29
• Plastic and reconstructive surgery: 26

Maxillofacial and oral surgery, surgical gastroenterology, burn care, thoracic surgery, neurosurgery and other specialised interventions made up the remaining cases.

Impact on patients and staff

Mabona said the surgeries meant more than medical treatment for many patients and that procedures could restore sight, improve mobility, relieve pain and enable a return to work, school and family life after waiting for treatment.

“The milestone reflects the collective efforts of multidisciplinary clinical teams who dedicated the Mandela Day weekend to providing much-needed surgical care to patients awaiting treatment.”

The department also noted that with 687 procedures already completed, the 2026 total has surpassed most of what was achieved during the entire 2025 campaign: it equals more than 85% of the 806 surgeries and clinical procedures performed in 2025.

Next steps

With the marathon continuing until 31 July, the department expressed confidence that hospitals would build on momentum from the Mandela Day weekend and continue working toward the pledged total.