MAMMOGRAM MACHINE AT JOBURG HOSPITAL OUT OF ACTION

Many women face an increased risk of dying from breast cancer because the Mammogram machine at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital has broken down.

This x-ray machine plays a critical role in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

It broke down last week and it could take six months before a new machine is in operation.

This means that there will be delays in detecting breast cancer that will increase the risk of dying from this disease.

It is really tragic that yet another machinery breakdown is negatively affecting treatment in Gauteng hospitals.

Poor maintenance is largely to blame as well as perennial underspending of machinery budgets.

At a meeting of the Gauteng Legislature's Health Committee yesterday, the Gauteng Health Department officially projected an underspend of R47 million on machinery in the current financial year that ends on 31 March.

This is scandalous when there is a great need for new machinery.

The excuses for poor management need to stop, and real action taken to ensure decent health care in this province.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, February 18 2015

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