The Department of Health has a massive wheelchair backlog crisis, with a waiting list of more than 6 000 countrywide, reports the Cape Argus.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the Eastern Cape was waiting for 5 140 wheelchairs, Gauteng needed 181, Limpopo wanted 789, Mpumalanga was waiting for 67 and North West for 244.
Neither the Western Cape nor the Free State has a waiting list.
Phaahla said the Eastern Cape had placed orders and was awaiting delivery, likewise KwaZulu-Natal.
“Limpopo will arrange deliveries at nearby district offices for hospitals to collect, reducing the turnaround time, and Mpumalanga will prioritise procurement in the beginning of the financial year.”
North West will increase the budget in the 2023/24 financial year, while the Northern Cape had committed to place orders by the end of April. Gauteng was yet to advise his office about its waiting list plans.
International Wheelchair Day was marked on 1 March.
Cape Argus PressReader article – SA has ‘long waiting list for wheelchairs’ (Open access)
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