The Natal Department of Health is now trying to put out fires after it becomes known that essential equipment for the treatment of cancer has been inoperative for four years.
Radiotherapy equipment at Addington Hospital is involved, and the department has now announced that there was an “agreement” with Varium, suppliers of equipment, for repairs thereof.
Apparently, the repairs of the R150 million high technology equipment is hampered by unauthorized technicians having tampered with it in an attempt to get it done at a lower price.
There are fears abounding that the unauthorized technicians have caused so much damage the equipment is no longer recoverable.
Apparently, cases have been registered where people died because they could not receive the necessary treatment, and possible civil claims against the department are thought to be considered.
The further problem is that even if the equipment is being repaired, Durban has no more doctors for the treatment of cancer patients after the last two oncologists have recently resigned due to miserable working conditions.
Read the original article in Afrikaans on Die Vryburger
South Africa Today – South Africa News
