Hundreds of cancer patients at Steve Biko Hospital left in limbo
Hundreds of cancer patients at the Steve Biko Hospital are facing critical delays in treatment. Here is more information.
In a shocking revelation, more than 300 cancer patients at the Steve Biko Hospital are awaiting treatment.
According to the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s Jack Bloom, these figures were revealed last week at a Gauteng Legislature’s Health Committee meeting.
He said 2637 cancer patients are waiting for treatment – 1440 prostate cancer patients, 848 for other cancers at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital, and 349 patients at the Steve Biko Hospital.
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“This underestimates the need as there is also a waiting time to be diagnosed before they can be placed on the treatment list.
“Many patients are taken off the list because the delay means radiation therapy is no longer an option, which drastically cuts their survival chances.”
He urged National Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to intervene.
“Motsoaledi should intervene to save hundreds of cancer patients whose chances of survival are worsening due to the Gauteng Health Department’s negligence.”
Bloom further said the R250 million budget should be rolled over into this financial year and used with the R261 million in this year’s budget to arrange speedy radiation treatment at private hospitals.
“It is scandalous that not a single cancer patient was treated last year using the R250 million that was budgeted.”
The Gauteng Health Department is yet to issue a statement.
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