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Waiting To Die
4 May 2018
KwaZulu Natal (KZN) is facing a cancer crisis. Within a year more than 300 cancer patients have reportedly died at one hospital alone (Nkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital), as a result of being unable to access life-saving treatment in time. Some cancer patients have even moved to other provinces to get necessary treatment. Heartbroken families are angry that the health system is failing the most vulnerable, patients who rely on public healthcare services.
KwaZulu Natal (KZN) is facing a cancer crisis. Within a year more than 300 cancer patients have reportedly died at one hospital alone (Nkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital), as a result of being unable to access life-saving treatment in time. Some cancer patients have even moved to other provinces to get necessary treatment. Heartbroken families are angry that the health system is failing the most vulnerable, patients who rely on public healthcare services.
Later this month KZN Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, will appear before the South African Human Rights Commission over his department’s failure to meet deadlines put in place to rectify the province’s oncology crisis.
With the highest rate of HIV-Aids related cancers- cervical cancer being the deadliest- KZN’s lack of oncology services has increased the demand for palliative care. Hospices are left to shoulder the burden of patient care.
Just how did cancer services in KZN grind to a halt?
Watch Waiting to Die, produced by Lindile Mpanza, on Special Assignment, broadcast on Sundays at 21h30 on SABC 3.
For more information contact Special Assignment: 011 714 5510.
Source: SABC 3
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