Tshwane District Hospital receives new X-ray equipment
The machines are said to have cost over R7-million.
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) recently unveiled three new X-ray machines set to lead to better turnaround times and accurate diagnosis at the Tshwane District Hospital in Central Pretoria.
The new Health Technology Centre at the hospital will render diagnoses to more than 1 600 patients a month.
The machines including a digital mobile X-ray and two ceiling suspension X-ray machines are part of the department’s broader goal of modernising health facilities. They’ve led to faster turnaround times, improved accurate diagnosis, and reduced radiation exposure.
The centre, located within the hospital’s radiology department, will house the recently acquired digital X-ray equipment that will boost diagnostic imaging services and patient care in the district.
These machines are said to have cost over R7-million and the MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko says this affirms the agenda of the 7th Administration to improve infrastructure and health technology for better healthcare delivery.
“These X-ray machines are more than just equipment, they represent our commitment to deliver quicker and safer, a more accurate diagnosis. But the real power lies in how we use them, with care, pride, and a smile,” Nkomo-Ralehoko said.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), radiology services are critical in modern healthcare, with up to 70% of medical decisions influenced by diagnostic imaging results.
Previously, using conventional radiography, the hospital would see less than 1 000 patients a month, with an average waiting time of between 24–30 minutes.
Since the procurement of these cutting-edge machines, the hospital is seeing an average of 70 patients a day, with waiting times of 10 – 13 minutes.
“These new machines are digital, ensuring that we receive our images immediately allowing us to provide better patient care to communities. Patients no longer have to endure lengthy queues as our turnaround time significantly improved,” said Tshwane District Head of Radiography, Gloria Moropotli.
Dr Jo-Marie Siemens, a medical officer working at the hospital’s emergency unit, said they rely heavily on X-ray imaging for clinical diagnosis and clinical practice, especially for patients who present at the facility with trauma, fractures and more.
“With these new machines, the quality of imaging we are producing and the speed that we are receiving has made a massive impact on our overall clinical practice. Having access to these high-quality images we have been able to see fractures that we were not able to see before,” Siemens said.
The unveiling of the new machines also served as a platform to launch the #IServeWithASmile campaign at Tshwane District Hospital, a pledge to ensure staff members are committed to making a lasting impact on patient experience of care.
The campaign aims to create a warm and welcoming environment for patients and serves as a proactive strategy to address patient dissatisfaction, resolve complaints and foster a positive working, environment among colleagues. It contributes towards unnecessary litigations, and boosts employee morale.
“We are not here just to treat illnesses, we are here to comfort, to support, and to bring holistic healing. Our patients are not just files and folder numbers, they are someone’s mother, someone’s child, someone’s uncle, someone’s grandfather, someone’s neighbour. They too matter! From today, I want all of us to wear our I Serve with a Smile badges with pride. That badge is a symbol of hope,” said the MEC.
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