Public hospital with one of the largest surgical backlogs in Gauteng due to declining infrastructure 

Thousands of patients at Steve Biko Academic Hospital are experiencing delays, forcing them to endure chronic pain due to neglected theatre infrastructure.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) condemned the repeated delays in major orthopaedic surgeries at Steve Biko Hospital. 

The public-funded hospital has been experiencing repeated air-conditioning breakdowns since 2019. 

SABC News reported on 18 February 2026 that the Health Department spokesperson, Kealeboga Mohajane, admitted that the problem dates back to 2006 due to contractor and equipment challenges. 

According to national health protocols, the DA stated that orthopaedic operating rooms must maintain a temperature of 18 degrees Celsius. 

The cooler rooms assist with infection control and in maintaining patients’ core body temperature, which is crucial for patient safety during long operations. 

Theatre temperatures at Steve Biko Academic Hospital are above 20 degrees Celsius due to air-conditioning breakdowns. 

The hospital failed to maintain and repair the air-conditioning system for years, resulting in many patients’ surgeries being postponed for weeks due to unsafe theatre temperatures. 

The DA reported that families have complained about patients’ prolonged suffering and worsening health. 

One family informed the DA that their mother had her hip surgery postponed five times for three weeks since the injury occurred. 

The hospital indicated she might have to wait up to six weeks for the surgery. 

The family said that the ongoing delays caused life-threatening blood glucose fluctuations, worsening her health, and increasing the risk of surgical complications. 

Another family shared that their mother died from sepsis caused by a bedsore developed during a five-week waiting period for hip replacement surgery. 

The DA called on the Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, to hold the MEC of Health, Faith Mazibuko, and the MEC of Infrastructure Development, Jacob Mamabolo, accountable for their failure and delay in fixing the air conditioning systems. 

On 27 October, the Gauteng Department of Health responded to the concerns raised and indicated that the higher-than-normal temperatures had contributed to the unsafe conditions in the theatre. 

The department said it will continue to seek alternative measures to ensure urgent operations are conducted whilst it repairs and replaces the air-conditioning system. 

It is estimated that five air conditioners will be repaired within six weeks, and one will be replaced within three months.