CANCER PATIENTS AT RISK AS RADIATION MACHINES FAIL

Cancer patients at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria are being denied life-saving treatment today because all four radiation machines have failed.

This is because Siemens has refused to service and repair these machines since November last year as the Gauteng Health Department owes them about R120 million.

The machines are used to shrink dangerous cancer tumours.

Seventy cancer patients are affected today, and there is a backlog of 120 patients needing treatment as no new appointments have been done for the past two weeks.

This is absolutely shocking. What do you tell a patient whose life is in danger because machines don't work?

The department claims that progress is being made in paying suppliers, but here is a non-payment case that is endangering many lives.

Urgent intervention is needed to repair these radiation machines.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, February 15 2012

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