Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
13 August 2024 | 18:56 CAT

DA Calls National Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to intervene and save hundreds of cancer patients whose chances of survival are worsening due to the Gauteng Health Department’s negligence.

The situation is dire, with hundreds of cancer patients in Gauteng facing worsening survival odds due to the Health Department’s negligence. The DA is urgently calling on Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to intervene and save these lives.

According to figures given last week at a meeting of the Gauteng Legislature’s Health Committee, 2637 cancer patients are waiting for treatment – 1440 prostate cancer patients and 848 for other cancers at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital, and 349 patients at the Steve Biko Hospital.

“This underestimates the need as there is also a waiting time to be diagnosed before they can be placed on the treatment list. These are very high figures and unfortunately the only way the list gets shorter is that people die or radiation is no longer an option for them because that’s what happens if you delay cancer treatment,” the DA’s Jack Bloom told Radio Islam International.

Bloom drew a stark comparison to the Life Esidimeni Tragedy, highlighting the severity of the current situation. He pointed out that the Gauteng Health Department opposes the court action of Section27, the Cancer Alliance, and the Treatment Action Campaign, despite the R784 million allocated by the Treasury over three years to reduce the cancer backlog.

“It is scandalous that not a single cancer patient was treated last year using the R250 million that was budgeted. This money 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,” added Bloom.

The Democratic Alliance urges Minister Motsoaledi to step in decisively and urgently to address this cancer crisis, just as he did with Esidimeni. Lives are at stake, and immediate action is needed.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Jack Bloom MPL – DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC here.