The Department of Health says regional health authorities are working through the backlogs caused by COVID-19 and the recent cyberattack, but challenges remain.

The department admits that while surgeries and many other procedures have resumed, many challenges associated with staffing and other operational issues related to COVID and issues that existed before the pandemic, remain.

Urologist Dr. Paul Johnston, who performs surgeries to address bladder, testicular and kidney cancers, says OR availability for surgeons across all specialties has been severely limited for an extended period resulting in a substantial percentage of patients waiting for procedures and surgeries.

He was emotional when asked by reporters what it’s like telling a patient that their surgery is being postponed.

“It’s awful,” he said, taking a moment to compose his thoughts, “I’ve dedicated my life to be an active agent for positive change, and to sit on my hands for most of two years, it…it burns you inside.”