Every year thousands of people across different walks of life roll up their sleeves to celebrate Madiba’s birthday, bringing together global communities to honour his legacy and improve their neighbourhoods.
To also mark this day, the Gauteng Department of Health will embark on the second edition of the Surgical Marathon initiative on Nelson Mandela Day on July, 18.
This year’s theme, ‘It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity’, emphasises combating global poverty and inequity, highlighting the ongoing issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, war, populism, and economic despair.
It explained that this initiative builds on the success achieved in 2023 when the department launched the project to honour Madiba by making a difference in the lives of others.
At the time of the launch, there was a historical backlog of 37 000 surgeries that had accumulated over time.
Through the concerted efforts of 30 participating hospitals, the department was able to clear the backlog by the end of the 2023/2024 financial year, benefiting thousands of patients.
The objective of the 2024 Surgical Marathon edition is to expedite surgical procedures for patients who are now on waiting lists in critical disciplines, including paediatrics, orthopaedics, neurology, urology, myomectomy, and breast surgery.
On the day, Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko will work with the staff at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital to supervise the ongoing surgical marathon and deliver some donations to the hospital’s patients.
The hospital is set to perform over 120 surgical procedures across various specialities, with other facilities across the province also participating in the surgical marathon.
In alignment with the 2024 Nelson Mandela Day theme, the GDoH recognises that change happens when individuals and the collective take meaningful steps to impact the lives of others.
Also marking this day is Gushwell Brooks, Mandela Day head at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, who has urged participants to participate in the Nelson Mandela Day Walk and Run on July 20 for a better world.
Brook’s goal is to have 10 000 people walk or run 5km, 10km, or 21km, either in Johannesburg or from anywhere else in the world, in commemoration of the legacy of our beloved icon.
“Bring your whole family! Your presence and participation will go a long way towards commemorating the legacy of Madiba during the month of his birth and will support the Nelson Mandela Foundation in its mission to mobilise Nelson Mandela’s legacy towards dismantling poverty and inequity. Join us by making a donation of your choice via https://www.fundnation.org/nelsonmandela,” said Brooks.
The Star
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
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