Durban's oncology crisis
Public hospitals in Durban are without oncologists.
The last cancer specialist left the public sector last week, leaving hundreds of cancer patients without adequate care.
Provincial health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo says the doctor who left the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital cited poor working conditions.
However he argues: "I disagree with this because Inkosi Albert Luthuli is the best hospital and is even better than some of the private hospitals."
This hospital sees 80% of KwaZulu-Natal's cancer patients.
Dhlomo believes oncologists use the public health sector to gain the necessary experience before leaving for the private sector.
The provincial health department has made contingency plans for oncology referrals at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, he confirms.
"We have to ask state doctors who work in Pietermaritzburg to come down to work with cancer patients in the Ethekwini region. We have a group of oncologists from the Rainbow Oncology Centre who are also prepared to assist us."
Dhlomo says he hopes in the long-term, they will train more oncologists who will want to work in the public sector.