Gauteng Facing Cancer Crisis as Patients Wait for Treatment at Hospitals – DA

The Democratic Alliances (DA) said Gauteng is facing a cancer crisis which is endangering the lives of at least two thousand patients who are waiting for treatment at hospitals in the province. 

The party said the crisis was brought to the attention of Gauteng Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi in November last year by the Cancer Alliance and Treatment Action Campaign, but the Gauteng Health Department is yet to respond. 

The DA’s Jack Bloom said there are number cancer patients waiting for treatment. 

“More than 1000 men with prostate cancer are on the list for radiation treatment, but many of them will suffer terribly and die because they have to wait as long as five years. There are also about 500 women with breast cancer waiting for more than a year for radiotherapy. Another 300 women wait between 4 to 6 months for cervical cancer treatment.” 

Bloem said the party is also concerned about the 72 vacancies at the Radiation department of the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital, which is also plagued by broken and outdated machinery.