Charlotte Maxeke Hospital continues cancer treatment amid licensing concerns

Gauteng health authorities say four radiation machines remain operational, while two newly purchased machines await staffing and licensing approval.

Cancer patients at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital continue to receive radiation therapy despite concerns over the licensing of new equipment and shortages of specialised staff, according to the Gauteng Department of Health.

The department issued the clarification on Thursday, saying the hospital’s four existing radiation machines remained operational and that treatment services continued daily as normal.

It also rejected claims that the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) had revoked a radiation oncology licence at the hospital.

“The Department also informs the public that SAHPRA has not revoked any Radiation Oncology licence at the hospital,” the department said.

Two new machines not yet approved for treatment

Although the hospital has acquired two additional Elekta Harmony Pro machines to expand access to cancer care, the equipment has not yet been licensed for clinical use.

The department said SAHPRA had raised concerns about staffing requirements for the expanded service.

According to the department, all personnel currently employed in radiation oncology are qualified. However, recruitment is under way to fill two vacant medical physics positions.

Discussions with the regulator are also continuing to address the outstanding requirements.

The department said the new machines would only be used to treat patients once the staffing and licensing requirements had been met and the necessary authorisation granted.

DA raises concerns about cancer patients

The department’s statement followed concerns raised by the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Wednesday.

DA Gauteng health spokesperson Madeleine Hicklin said information from unnamed sources suggested that SAHPRA had revoked licences for two machines because of a shortage of qualified staff.

Hicklin argued that the situation effectively reduced the hospital’s radiation treatment capacity by half and could affect patients who rely on the facility for cancer care.

“This is a devastating blow for cancer patients who depend on the hospital for life-saving radiation treatment,” she said.

The DA said it would submit questions to Gauteng Health MEC Faith Mazibuko over the matter.

“Cancer treatment cannot be put on hold,” Hicklin said.

The department, however, maintains that the hospital’s four existing machines remain operational and that radiation therapy continues as normal.

Unused oncology machines raise further questions

Hicklin also questioned the status of two machines purchased for Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital approximately two years ago.

She said the bunkers required to house the equipment had not yet been built, leaving the machines in storage rather than being used to treat patients.

The Gauteng Department of Health acknowledged that three machines intended for Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital had been purchased before the necessary bunkers were available.

The department said it planned to relocate the equipment to other provinces, with one machine going to North West and two to the Eastern Cape.

It added that plans were under way to construct two new oncology centres, one at each of the Gauteng hospitals, to strengthen radiation oncology services.

For now, the department says cancer treatment at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital continues, while the two new machines remain unavailable for clinical use pending the necessary staffing and regulatory approvals.

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Source: The Citizen