Reducing surgical waiting lists through public–private partnership — clearing South Africa's public-sector hip and knee replacement backlog, one theatre weekend at a time.
Public patients wait three to four years on average for a hip or knee replacement — and as long as ten years in some Gauteng hospitals — in constant pain, often unable to work or care for family.
More than 1,200 patients are on the waiting list in the Greater Durban district alone. Across the province and the country the true backlog runs many times higher — and grows faster than the public system can clear it.
Private theatres and beds stand empty on weekends — capacity that could be clearing the backlog right now.
Of pain you could wish only one thing: that it should stop. Nothing in the world was so bad as physical pain. In the face of pain there are no heroes.
George OrwellNineteen Eighty-FourFew things a doctor does are more important than relieving pain… pain is soul destroying. No patient should have to endure intense pain unnecessarily. The quality of mercy is essential to the practice of medicine; here, of all places, it should not be strained.
Dr Marcia AngellFormer Editor-in-Chief, New England Journal of MedicineEach partner brings what it does best. Together, the cost of a joint replacement falls from R168,000 in the private sector to about R80,000 a patient — and the wait falls to weeks.
Patient work-up, referral and the implants themselves.
Operating theatre and hospital beds over the weekend — currently donated.
Surgical staff, salaries and consumables that make each procedure happen.
Up to 65% saving right now — while Busamed donates the theatre time and bed nights, the real cost to the partnership drops further still.
From public waiting list to walking out — in days, not years.
Patient is admitted and prepared at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital.
Moved to Busamed Hillcrest for the weekend theatre slot.
Hip or knee replacement performed by the surgical team.
Mobilised and discharged within two to three days of surgery.
The model proven on the ground in KwaZulu-Natal — funded by the IDC, with R400,000 in start-up funding from Smith & Nephew.
Scaling the partnership beyond the pilot. Right now we're raising R3,000,000 to continue in KZN for the next 100 patients, then replicate the model province by province.
Expand to other surgical disciplines — anchored by a national Waiting List Fund and a central management team co-ordinating the partnerships.
Real patients from the KZN programme — in their own words.
It gave me my life back.
Before my hip replacement, pain controlled my life. I struggled with simple tasks and lost my independence. Since the surgery I've regained mobility, freedom and the joy in everyday activities. The doctor and his team were extremely supportive and attentive throughout.
Shawn Singh48 · Left hip replacement
My left knee healed sooner than anticipated — in a month. I can walk long distances now without using a walking stick. When I visit family, I have a whole new walk now!
Paul Bonginkosi Hadebe62 · Left knee replacement
He did it, and after that I was alright. I'm no longer using crutches. I look forward to December, when I'll start gym and jogging for the summer season. I am so thankful.
Nonhlanhla Zulu48 · Right hip replacement
Since 2014 I suffered with my knee for so long it even bent. A year ago the team did a first-class operation. I can now climb ladders and wear my high heels. I am so happy — thank you!
Sibongile Sibiya53 · Left knee replacement
Real patients and teams from the KZN pilot — from theatre to walking out.
Joint replacement underway
The theatre team at work
After a successful procedure
Walking again, days laterA knee replacement implantA hip replacement implantEvery contribution funds the staff and consumables for a single procedure. One investment. One patient off the list. One family changed.
Two specialist orthopaedic surgeons lead the model — across private and state practice.
Founder & Director
Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon
Qualified as an orthopaedic surgeon in 2011, followed by a one-year arthroplasty fellowship in London. He has a special interest in hip and knee replacements and is a highly experienced arthroplasty surgeon. Now in full-time private practice in Hillcrest, KZN, with weekly state-sector sessions at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital. As founder and director he manages the projects and performs some of the surgeries.
Head of Orthopaedics, IALCH
Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon
Qualified as a specialist orthopaedic surgeon in 2011, followed by a shoulder fellowship in Cape Town. While his special interests are shoulder arthroplasty and sports medicine, he is an accomplished hip and knee arthroplasty surgeon. As head of the orthopaedic department at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, he manages the state-sector side of the project and performs some of the surgeries.
Independent coverage of the partnership and its results.
Financial Mail · fm Nov 2025
An FM “fox” feature on how the state–private partnership is slashing years off orthopaedic waiting lists in KwaZulu-Natal — operating on public patients in private theatres over weekends, at vastly reduced cost.
“This public-private partnership intervention goes a long way to helping out.”
Dr Michiel Ter Haar · Financial Mail, 20–26 November 2025 · by Chris Bateman
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Thisability Newspaper Apr 2024
How the public-private partnership is transforming lives, one surgery at a time — clearing the public orthopaedic backlog through shared theatre capacity.
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Busamed Apr 2024
Busamed Hillcrest on launching the collaboration that opens private theatre capacity to public patients over weekends.
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Highway Mail Sep 2025
A milestone for the public-private programme as the 100th patient receives life-changing surgery.
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IOL · Daily News
Coverage of the partnership opening a new route to hip and knee surgery for public patients.
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