Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a response to a parliamentary question at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko said that there was a backlog of 2 270 people who made requests for wheelchairs. Of this, 1 499 patients have already been issued with the mobility devices across hospitals, clinics and community healthcare centres as at 20 February 2023 with a balance of 771 currently being cleared.

“The bulk of our health facilities have received the outstanding wheelchairs that have been ordered and are busy calling approved registered patients to come collect,” explained the MEC.

Out of the remaining 771 people who have not yet received their wheelchairs 498 devices are in stock and awaiting collection. Only 273 wheelchairs are still to be delivered at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) which has 253 people on the waiting list, 6 at Rahima Moosa, 12 at Thelle Mogoerane and 2 at Jubilee.

The CHBAH currently does not have sufficient storage for wheelchairs as it was damaged after flooding. The hospital is in the process of procuring a storage unit to ensure bulk storage of wheelchairs, and will in the meantime frequently place orders in small amounts to mitigate the storage issue.

Assistive devices are issued only after assessments have been made by qualified personnel at facility level. The patient condition/diagnosis determines the type of design of wheelchair for prescription. People who are in need of

wheelchairs are advised to visit their nearest clinic for assessment so that those that qualify can be included on the list.

Ends/
Issued by the Gauteng Department of Health