There is an estimated 153,320-case backlog in diagnostics and surgeries in Manitoba, but Doctors Manitoba cautions that this estimate is from before the Omicron variant arrived in the province.

Doctors Manitoba is asking people to be patient as they face staff absenteeism alongside rising COVID-19 Omicron pressures.

"Manitobans need hope, and we absolutely need to look after each other," President Dr. Kristjan Thompson said in a Thursday press conference.

He says they will not stop fighting to get Manitobans the care they need.

Thompson added, he has never heard of a backlog of this size, and expects it to increase further next month.

A patient of his that experienced a burst appendix needed to wait 10 hours before getting care.

"We just did not have a bed to take care of him," Thompson said. "This patient waited 10 hours suffering and in agony... my heart just sinks."

Thompson added, he is seeing cancer patients in hallways, throwing up in buckets, and the only care he can offer is a wet towel.

"This is not how physicians want to offer care, this is not the kind of care that I want to provide."

He wants people to stay diligent against the virus, saying now is not the time to give up.

An increase of 1,204 backlogged cases since the previous month is being estimated. Doctors Manitoba says there are some improvements to the backlog, specifically with diagnostic imaging and procedures.

This month they are seeing an improvement of 407 diagnostic imaging cases to an estimated 42,524 cases. There is an improvement of 55 "other" diagnostic procedure cases to a 52,969-case backlog.

"It is important to note that most of these estimates cover a period before the Omicron wave had started in Manitoba, and we know this is causing more disruptions for a variety of procedures," the Thursday statement says. "Physicians understand the frustration this causes patients, and they share it."

They say rural hospitals are facing staff disruptions. Hospital beds, ER care, ambulance availability, outpatient clinics, and medical clinics are all being challenged by the increase in care backups.

Backup data
Doctors Manitoba says:

backlog grew in November for cardiac, hip/knee and other surgeries, but improved modestly for cataract surgery
in diagnostic imaging, we estimate the backlog grew for myocardial perfusion and bone density studies, but improved for MRI and ultrasound
In other procedures, we estimate the backlog grew for allergy tests and endoscopies, but improved modestly for mammograms and sleep studies