Gauteng patients who need hip replacements are waiting between three and 10 years on public hospital lists. Gauteng health MEC Faith Mazibuko disclosed the scale of the delay in a recent reply to Democratic Alliance (DA) questions in the Gauteng legislature.
Mazibuko linked the growing backlog to several operational pressures across the province. She said a high proportion of older backlog cases were not digitised. This is now being addressed through a treatment time guarantee system. She also cited theatre downtime caused by equipment problems and staffing constraints. Implant and consumables availability remain another barrier. Increased referrals to tertiary and central hospitals have added further strain.
Infrastructure shocks have also worsened the situation. Mazibuko pointed to a water shortage last June that forced the cancellation and postponement of surgeries. That disruption created unpredictable theatre schedules. She also said repeated chiller breakdowns have led to uncontrollable theatre temperatures, adding to stoppages and delays.
Gauteng Replacement Waiting Lists are Longest at Major Facilities
The longest waiting times for hip replacement surgery were reported at large hospitals that carry high referral volumes. These include Chris Hani Baragwanath, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg, Helen Joseph, Tembisa, Kalafong and Sebokeng hospitals.
Smaller facilities appear to be coping better. Mazibuko’s response indicated shorter waits at hospitals such as Mamelodi, Edenvale, Leratong and Far East Rand. Steve Biko Hospital was also reported to have shorter waiting times for hip surgery than many of the busiest centres.
The comments have intensified scrutiny of theatre capacity management in Gauteng. They also highlight uneven pressure across the platform, with tertiary hubs seeing rising demand while some district-level sites show improved throughput.
Gauteng Hip Replacement Waiting List Reflects Wider Surgical Backlog
DA shadow health MEC Jack Bloom said the backlog shows a system in crisis. He shared an example of a patient at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital who was reportedly told a knee operation would only take place in July 2032, a six-year wait from now.
Bloom argued that official waiting lists may understate true need. He said many patients are still waiting to see specialists who can place them on lists. He also pointed to the department’s acknowledgement that backlog cases are not fully digitised.
Civil society groups have echoed the alarm. Lindiwe Mahlangu, a Positive Women Network Gauteng representative, condemned the situation and said it signals systemic problems. She noted that when over 26,000 patients are waiting for surgical care, the issue extends beyond isolated failures. Delays reduce dignity and quality of life. They also weaken economic productivity.
Bloom warned that delayed treatment can worsen conditions and increase long-term costs. He questioned whether measures like weekend surgical marathons and clinician recruitment are making a real dent, given that they are not new interventions.
Repairs And Recruitment Promised, but Pressure Remains
Mazibuko has promised to recruit additional specialised clinicians. She has also committed to prioritising repairs to theatre equipment. Those steps may help stabilise schedules. But the drivers of delay are broad. They include staffing gaps, poor maintenance, supply constraints, and referral pressures.
For healthcare leaders, the message is clear. Surgical backlogs are no longer only a performance metric. They are becoming a patient-safety and public-confidence issue. They also risk compounding future demand as untreated cases deteriorate while waiting.
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