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Gauteng continues to battle a wheelchair shortage that began during the COVID-19 lockdown. The provincial health department says over 20,000 patients are waiting for one.
Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba says the department is working to overcome the backlog. “Our priority as a department is to close gaps where we can by working with various stakeholders. We are currently finalising a plan to wipe out the backlog,” says Modiba.
Still waiting after a year
Ntozakhe Zikhali from Zamani in Duduza has been waiting for a wheelchair for her three-year-old son for over a year. The child was diagnosed with hydrocephalus at birth. He cannot walk or talk. Zikhali is unemployed and relies on causal work to feed herself and her son. But she often turns down jobs because there is nobody to look after him.
” I cannot work because I have to look after him and frequently take him to the hospital. I applied for a wheelchair in June last year because he is getting heavy and tired of sleeping but I still haven’t received it. We were put on the waiting list and when I went back to check last month I was told that they are still not available”.
Unclear when wheelchairs will arrive
Wheelchair 8 handed to its owner Sibusiso Buthelezi…this year still, I do this…one wheelchair at a time 🌶 pic.twitter.com/aG29qzrrSK
— 🌶Fanagogo🌶 (@PelepeleComedy) January 25, 2023
Connie Selepe, the Chief Occupational Therapist at Pholosong Hospital, confirms the facility has not had wheelchairs some time. “Wheelchairs have been ordered but they are still waiting for delivery. Patients on the waiting list are urged to be patient and await their turn,” she says. – Health-e News
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