Boost for cancer treatment as Gauteng Health invests R500m
The Gauteng Department of Health has spent some R500 million on cancer treatment machines for its four academic hospitals.
Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital has secured two Linac Accelerator machines, while Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital has spent over R216 million to purchase five of these machines.
Dr. George Mukare Academic Hospital has procured one machine, while Steve Biko Academic Hospital has secured four.
"Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital is in the process of building a bunker required for these specialised machines in order to operationalise them," says departmental spokesperson Kwara Kekana.
"The challenge for the Charlotte Maxeke and Steve Biko hospitals is that both hospitals do not have enough human personnel to run all the machines at full capacity.
"However, the Gauteng Health Department is working with the national Department of Health to add and improve human resource capacity across to ensure facilities fully utilise available resources.
"One of the major successes for cancer treatment in the province was the start of a prostate brachytherapy programme at the Chris Hani hospital in collaboration with a team of Charlotte Maxeke hospital.
"Around 30 patients received treatment last year, which was a first in the Gauteng public sector and the programme continues, aiming to treat at least 50 patients a year.”
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