By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng province is broadening its cancer treatment services at its four academic hospitals.
The provincial Health Department invested more than R500 million in Linac Accelerator cancer treatment machines since 2019.
According to Radiology.org, a medical linear accelerator (LINAC) customises high energy x-rays or electrons to conform to a tumour’s shape and destroy cancer cells while sparing surrounding normal tissue.
“It features several built-in safety measures to ensure that it will deliver the dose as prescribed and is routinely checked by a medical physicist to ensure it is working properly, “said the site.
Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital has secured two Linac Accelerator machines, while Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital has spent over R216 million to purchase five of these machines.
Dr. George Mukari Academic Hospital has procured one machine, while Steve Biko Academic Hospital has secured four.
“Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital is in the process of building a bunker required for these specialised machines in order to operationalise them,” says departmental spokesperson Kwara Kekana.
“The challenge for the Charlotte Maxeke and Steve Biko hospitals is that both hospitals do not have enough human personnel to run all the machines at full capacity.
“However, the Gauteng Health Department is working with the national Department of Health to add and improve human resource capacity across to ensure facilities fully utilise available resources.
“One of the major successes for cancer treatment in the province was the start of a prostate brachytherapy programme at the Chris Hani hospital in collaboration with a team of Charlotte Maxeke hospital.
“Around 30 patients received treatment last year, which was a first in the Gauteng public sector and the programme continues, aiming to treat at least 50 patients a year.”
“As part of further efforts to broaden cancer treatment provision, the GDoH in partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation opened the Soweto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (SCCC) at CHBAH last year, “said Kekana..
The opening of the SCCC has also ensured that patients who reside around Soweto and Johannesburg south no longer travel to CMJAH for cancer treatment.
The unit has established good partnerships with cancer support groups, which helps with ensuring adherence to treatment amongst patients.
In the Tshwane Health District, the DGMAH has invested R52 million for a Linac accelerator machine and this will be operational as soon as bunker construction is completed, while the SBAH has invested R186 million in four Linac Accelerator machines. All these machines are operational.