I don't understand, why can't he hire a professional artist and just write the script and names of each chapter? It has nothing to do with pride. He's dissppinting all his fans by making them wait this long. I get it, he has a medical condition. But then he should have someone else draw the chapter.
Something that has been going around for a few years is that when he did have assistants it didn't really work out, that it was more stressful then it should of been. I'm not sure to what extent that is true or if its true at all but just throwing that out there.
I too would like him to hire assistants. That's nothing new. Most weekly mainstream Mangakas have assistants because it's too much work. I've been to Japan with a friend who's connected and have seen first-hand how stressful it is on them. It's not hyperbole when people talk about the sacrifices of being a weekly Mangaka.
It's really annoying as a fan that he goes on hiatus for over two years, does Nine chapters and goes back on hiatus. Sure, it's not Berserk level of ridiculousness but its frustrating... especially for fans that actually buy the Volumes.
Just before the first chapter back was released last year, he made a comment along the lines of. "I'm worn out, but I'll try my best" - So I should of expected the hiatus really.