A cancer patient receives chemotherapy. Picture: Zululand Observer
More than 8,000 cancer patients are waiting for treatment at the province’s three leading oncology hospitals, according to a recent report on the Investment Case for Radiation Oncology in South Africa, reports Berea Mail.
At Inkhosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) there is a backlog of 6,012 patients, followed by 1,932 at Addington Hospital and a further 132 at Greys.
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However, the report has been labelled as undermining efforts that have been made to restore cancer treatment services in the province by the provincial health department.
DA KZN spokesperson on health Dr Imran Keeka said despite numerous recommendations by the South African Human Rights Commission, accompanied by ongoing reassurances by both the MEC and his department that the situation has improved, it appears that very little has changed.
“What these statistics tell us is that, under the current circumstances, MEC Dhlomo and his department provide no hope of addressing the lack of treatment and the resulting suffering of thousands of people,” said Keeka.
The report is a follow-up to the National Cancer Strategic Framework and National audit in 2017, and shows statistics as at end December 2017.
It also highlights non-functional equipment and inadequate staffing at cancer treatment centres.
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