Health Dept rolls out portable X-ray machines for early asbestos detection
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says South Africa has procured ultra-portable digital X-ray machines to improve early detection of asbestos-related illnesses in remote communities affected by abandoned mines.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the department has procured ultra-portable digital X-ray machines from South Korea to improve the early detection of asbestos-related illnesses.
Motsoaledi spoke during his visit to the Mafefe area in Limpopo, where he led the Integrated Health Screening Programme on Monday.
The programme included screening for tuberculosis, HIV testing and counselling, blood pressure checks, diabetes screening, and health education on treatment adherence.
Mafefe is among the communities facing long-term health risks linked to asbestos contamination from abandoned asbestos mines that were not adequately rehabilitated.
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Motsoaledi said the new devices will allow healthcare workers to reach remote communities and detect asbestos-related illnesses earlier, enabling timely medical intervention.
He also confirmed that one asbestos-related death has already been recorded in the area.
“Here in Mafefe, it has already claimed the life of one person, unfortunately, right from inside the royal family. And so, we make use of that event to mobilise the community to move forward with screening.
We will also be going to other areas. The fortunate thing is that we have now got new generation X-ray machines, which you can carry on your back, allowing health workers to reach far-flung villages.”
-Abandoned mines being rehabilitated-
Motsoaledi added that the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has begun working on rehabilitating closed asbestos mines in the area.
He said that although the mines were shut down more than 30 years ago, the effects of asbestos exposure can take between 15 and 60 years to manifest.
“It is not that the government was doing nothing altogether. You are aware that asbestos mines were closed long ago; it's been more than 30 years since they were closed, but there has never been any rehabilitation. But the department of minerals, together with the mineral council, which we used to call the chamber of mines, is working together to start rehabilitation programmes.”
