15 March 2006
A new stateâof-the-art oncology unit is set to open at the Johannesburg
Hospital in the next three weeks.
The unit will bring much needed relief to cancer patients in the province
and the country. About 150 cancer patients a day will be treated in the unit
from April to December; thereafter the number will increase to 320 patients per
day.
The Department of Health expects the new unit will be able reduce the
waiting time for treatment significantly from four months to six weeks by March
next year.
The Department spent more than R38 million refurbishing the building in
which the unit is situated. A further R140 million was used to equip the unit
with the latest technology comprising four linear occulors, two cobalt units,
two bracky therapy units, a CT scanner, two simulators, a patient management
system and an MRI.
The unit is regarded as a national unit and will therefore be expected to
admit patients from other provinces.
In its ongoing efforts to ensure the availability of proper and recent
technology in its facilities, the department has also opened new theatres at
Kalafong Hospital in Tshwane. The theatres, built at a cost of R45 million
includes the latest digital radiology equipment, a 16 slice CT scanner, urology
and spinal microscope machine.
For more information contact: Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
15 March 2006
