The Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH) Breast Unit, under the expert leadership of Professor Dikeledi Mokone, is recognised as a high-volume centre for breast care. The unit manages approximately 5,000 to 7,000 breast patients annually and diagnoses between 160 and 180 breast cancers each year. With such a large patient load, the hospital faces ongoing challenges in ensuring timely surgical intervention, which is a critical pillar of breast cancer management. Delays in surgery can allow cancer to progress, compromising patient outcomes.
To address these challenges, the Breast Unit coordinated an intensive Breast Cancer Surgery Marathon on 11 October 2025, aimed at reducing surgical backlogs and improving patient access to life-saving procedures. The event was planned and coordinated by Dr Vukosi Maluleke, a consultant general surgeon in the Breast Unit under the leadership of Professor Mokone.
“This initiative was designed to ensure that patients receive timely surgery, which is critical in preventing disease progression,” said Dr Vukosi Maluleke. “On this single day, we were able to operate on 14 patients—a number that would normally take five to six weeks to complete. In doing so, we effectively cleared several weeks from our waiting list.”
The success of the marathon relied on the collaborative effort of a multidisciplinary team. Seventeen nursing staff, five anaesthesiologists, and fourteen surgeons volunteered their time and expertise to ensure a smooth surgical workflow. The anaesthesiology team was led by Professor Hyla Kluyts, Head of the Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU).
Theatre operations were supported by the nursing administration and ward staff, who ensured that patients were safely admitted and optimally prepared for surgery. Five theatres were made fully available and prepared under the guidance of Operation Manager Phindile Mlangeni, whose leadership of the nursing team was instrumental in ensuring the day ran efficiently and safely.
Financial support for the day was generously provided by SMU alumni, including Dr Mongezi Ntulini, Dr Nkosikhona Fredrick Mlimi, and Dr Thegesha Naidoo, who funded meals for all staff participating in the marathon. Their contribution helped sustain staff energy and morale throughout the demanding day.
The leadership of the Breast Unit extends beyond surgery. Professor Dikeledi Mokone, Head of the Breast Surgery Unit, emphasised the importance of teamwork in achieving the day’s success: “This marathon reflects the dedication and commitment of our entire team—from surgeons and anaesthesiologists to nurses, administrative staff, and porters. Every role was essential to ensure our patients received timely and high-quality care.”
Among the patients who benefited from the initiative was Paulina Mpete, who expressed her relief and gratitude: “I was nervous at first, but the team made everything so organised and reassuring. I feel so relieved knowing my surgery is done without months of waiting.”
Other key contributors included Professor Zach Koto, Head of the Department of General Surgery at SMU. The success of the Department of Surgery is owed largely to him as an internationally recognised surgeon and educator who leads from the front. His guidance and support ensured the smooth coordination of surgical services throughout the marathon.
The Breast Cancer Surgery Marathon not only reduced surgical backlogs but also highlighted the value of collaboration, planning, and innovation in healthcare delivery. By combining expertise from the Breast Unit, the Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, and the wider hospital team, DGMAH successfully demonstrated a model for delivering life-saving surgery efficiently, even under high patient demand.
The hospital also expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Project Flamingo, whose generous gifts for patients added a personal touch and comfort to the surgical experience.
This initiative stands as a testament to the hospital’s commitment to patient-centred care and the relentless pursuit of excellence in breast cancer treatment, setting a benchmark for other high-volume surgical units in South Africa and beyond.
By Dimakatso Modise
