On Tuesday, 5th June 2018, a delegation from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Office of the Commission conducted a site inspection at Addington hospital where the delegation was met by the CEO of the hospital, Dr. Ndlangisa and the Head of the Oncology Unit, Mrs. Hlengwa.
The Commission noted that in complying with its recommendations, the Provincial Department of Health has successfully repaired one Linear Accelerator (VRALA) machine. The Commission can confirm that the first patient was treated on the 5th June 2018, using this machine.  In addition, some of the staff members from Addington hospital, who were stationed at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central hospital have returned to Addington hospital in order to provide services to oncology patients. The hospital has also secured the services of 1 oncologist. It will also continue with the public–private partnership (PPP) agreement with Wits Consortium which supplies oncology services to the hospital on a weekly bases. The Department has also procured a new oncology machine which has been assembled and is currently being ‘calibrated’ by physicists. It is anticipated that the machine will be ready for use by the 26th July 2018.

In his recent meeting with the Chairperson of the Commission, Adv. Bongani Majola, the Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, informed the Chairperson that an amount of money, has been set aside by the National Department of Health to assist, among other challenges, in dealing with the Oncology situation in KwaZulu-Natal.  The Commission is happy that the national government is involved in addressing critical issues of access to health care and would like to urge the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health to speed up the implementation of the remaining recommendations.

Whist the Commission is pleased with the progress made by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, it will continue to monitor the hospitals and the oncology situation in KwaZulu-Natal and all provinces to ensure that the right to access health care services is promoted and protected.  

Ends

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

Gail Smith – Spokesperson Tel: 060 988 3792 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator Tel: 082 645 8573 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.