Five broken machines mean cancer patients face longer delays at Charlotte Maxeke hospital
The DA’s Jack Bloom also says he is concerned that three of nine consultant posts at the cancer unit are vacant
Cancer patients have been subjected to longer waiting times at the Charlotte Maxeke hospital in Johannesburg‚ according to DA Gauteng health spokesperson Jack Bloom. Member of the provincial legislature Bloom said five machines had broken down at the hospital since January 2017. He said Gauteng health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa disclosed this in a written reply to his questions in the Gauteng legislature. "According to Ramokgopa‚ three of the linear accelerator machines broke down‚ two of which have been fixed and the third condemned for replacement. A cobalt machine failed but is now functional‚ and an orthovoltage machine that broke is not due for replacement until 2025‚" Bloom said in a statement. "Ramokgopa says ‘the breakdown of machines led to an increase waiting times; however, the hospital prioritises repairs and maintenance’. Furthermore‚ Bloom quotes Ramokgopa as saying "there is a need for a replacement plan for the machines which are estimated to be 14 years old … a strategic eq...
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