Impact of Lockdown on General Surgery Patients in Mankweng Hospital, Limpopo

Abstract

Background: Based on data from the World Health Organisation, it has been shown that Novel Corona virus pandemic disrupts normal activity in whole world. Lockdowns are known to reduce the transmission of virus and enforced almost in the entire world based on countries recommendations. In South Africa, lockdown measures were imposed from 26th March 2020 and health care services became seriously affected particularly elective surgical operations. Objectives: Main aim of the study is to estimate the effect of lockdown on the general surgery services in Mankweng hospital. Method: This is a retrospective cross sectional observational descriptive study. Data for study include admission, operation & attendance to outpatient clinic collected during a lockdown period of 3 months(April-June 2020) and normal period of 3 months(April-June 2019) from Mankweng Hospital Information System.
 Result: During the lockdown period April-June 2020, total 291 patients were seen in Surgical Outpatient Department and 122 in Breast Oncology Clinic. There were 197 patients admitted to the hospital and 120 operations performed in theatres. During April-June in 2019, total 442 patients were seen in Surgical Outpatient Department and 152 in Breast Oncology Clinic. There were 500 patients admitted to the hospital and 166 operations performed in theatres. During lockdown elective general surgery operations were reduced noticeably. Conclusions: Restoration of elective operations should start as soon as Corona virus pandemic slows down and extra elective theatre list should be enrolled during weekends to reduce the backlog at least for few months.