CATCH-UP SURGERY PROGRAM.
Our aim is to relief pressure on the most vulnerable stages of a patient’s cancer journey by providing these timely surgeries at five selected Public Hospitals in the Western and Eastern Cape regions. By using the time of volunteer surgeons & anaesthetists, and existing hospital infrastructure over weekends, we effectively decrease waiting times and make a tangible impact on the lives of these patients and their communities.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
Our catch-up surgery program helps more patients access timely care. Our teams of volunteer surgeons & anaesthetists, together with dedicated nursing staff perform these surgeries on selected Saturdays using existing hospital infrastructure.
Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women during their lifetime. Unfortunately, for patients in the Public Health Sector, long waiting periods for adequate treatment significantly reduce their chances of surviving this disease.




OUR ACTIVE HOSPITALS
Western Cape
GROOTE SCHUUR HOSPITAL
Western Cape
TYGERBERG
HOSPITAL
Western Cape
GEORGE
HOSPITAL
Eastern Cape
LIVINGSTONE
HOSPITAL
Eastern Cape
CECILIA MAKIWANE
HOSPITAL
HOW ARE PATIENTS SELECTED?
Project Flamingo directors and volunteers do not select patients for theatre lists. We make our services available and slots are allocated as to patients present in need of surgery at Groote Schuur, Tygerberg, George, Livingstone and Cecilia Makiwane hospitals. Project lists are scheduled one year in advance, the dates are added to the hospital booking systems, and names are provided to us by the hospitals. This ensures that the process remains completely fair and objective and that patients receive evidence-based cancer care.
The treatment for breast cancer involves so much more than just surgery. By requiring patients to be part of the formal hospital oncology systems, we can ensure that they receive a holistic treatment plan, including the likes of chemotherapy and appropriate follow-ups post-surgery.
"Year after year we've seen the significant impact that Project Flamingo's surgery program has had on the waiting periods of our breast cancer patients.
This is a life-saving exercise, and we simply won't be able to help the number of people we do, without them."
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- Prof. Francois Malherbe, Head of Breast & Endocrine Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital
Our Medical Teams
Our medical volunteer teams at our 5 active hospitals include passionate lead surgeons & anaesthetists, registrars, medical officers, and medical students - all donating their time and expertise voluntarily. The hospital's dedicated, existing theatre nursing staff are renumerated by us for their time on Saturdays and form part of the infrastructure within which we function at each of the hospitals.
WHAT OUR MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS SAY
Dr. Carl-Adriaan Hugo
"The work Project Flamingo does to overcome the obstacles that we face in state healthcare, is inspiring. We can all be changemakers, even when faced with difficulties in caring for our patients."
Dr. Nitiksha Wesley
"Being able to make a difference in the lives of people in my own community, brings me sheer joy."
Dr. Nkosilathi Dlodlo
"The atmosphere when we work together, you can tell it's genuine hearts making a change in the communities, but nothing beats the smile you see from the women after their operation and the gratitude they express, especially after waiting for so long to finally get one done. "