Tegucigalpa, Honduras – The honduran Social Security Institute (IHSS) is facing a significant backlog of patients awaiting surgical procedures. Health Minister carla Paredes announced Thursday that 1,791 individuals are currently on the waiting list at the IHSS facility in La Granja, Tegucigalpa.

Nearly 60% of those patients, 985 individuals, have waited over three months for their scheduled surgeries, classifying them as facing a “surgical default.”

Efforts to Reduce Wait Times

The IHSS has launched an intervention commission with the ambitious goal of eliminating the surgical default by yearS end. Strategies include implementing nighttime adn weekend surgical brigades, alongside extended daytime operating schedules.

Officials anticipate a rise in the number of patients needing surgery by December 2025, necessitating these expanded schedules to maintain zero wait times and prevent surgical defaults. The initiative aims to proactively address the growing demand for surgical interventions.

Addressing Surgical Delays

Paredes emphasized the ongoing efforts to reduce the current backlog. The IHSS is actively working to decrease the number of patients facing prolonged waits, with a target of reducing the surgical default to zero within the year.This commitment reflects a broader effort to improve healthcare access and quality in Honduras.

The implementation of extended hours and weekend brigades represents a significant investment in resources and personnel, demonstrating the government’s dedication to resolving this critical healthcare challenge.

Honduras Healthcare System Overview

Honduras’ public healthcare system, while striving for universal coverage, faces persistent challenges including limited resources, infrastructure constraints, and staffing shortages. The IHSS is a key component of this system, providing social security benefits including healthcare to a large segment of the population.

Surgical backlogs are a recurring issue in many developing nations, often exacerbated by economic factors and limited access to specialized medical care. Addressing these backlogs requires sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure, workforce progress, and efficient resource allocation.

Frequently Asked Questions About IHSS Surgical Wait Times

• What is the current surgical backlog at the IHSS in Tegucigalpa?

  Currently, 1,791 patients are on the waiting list for surgery at the IHSS in La Granja, Tegucigalpa.

• How many patients have waited over three months for surgery?

  985 patients have exceeded a three-month wait time for their scheduled surgeries, categorized as a “surgical default.”

• What is the IHSS doing to reduce surgical wait times?

  The IHSS is implementing nighttime and weekend surgical brigades, as well as extending daytime operating schedules, to address the backlog.

• What is the goal for eliminating surgical defaults at the IHSS?

  The IHSS aims to reduce the surgical default to zero by the end of the year.

• why is the IHSS extending operating hours?

  Extended hours are necessary to accommodate the increasing number of patients requiring surgery and to prevent future surgical defaults.

• What challenges does the Honduran healthcare system face?

  The Honduran healthcare system faces challenges including limited resources, infrastructure constraints, and staffing shortages.