DOH new policy aims for early cancer detection
"KZN is actually doing well when it comes to screening, radiology and chemotherapy."
THE KwaZulu-Natal health department says it is concerned about the grossly exaggerated, inaccurate and misleading media statement by DA leader Imraan Keeka regarding oncology.
According to the department, globally oncologists like other medical specialists are a scarce skill.
The department also cautioned the media about its focus on oncology, saying it was not the only cancer issue and that oncology was the advanced stage of cancer.
“Screening assists with early detection of cancer, which leads to timely intervention by medical professionals. KZN is actually doing well when it comes to screening, radiology and chemotherapy. In fact, the province’s efforts in this regard are being bolstered through the newly-launched National Cervical Cancer Prevention Policy (NCCPP) and the Breast Cancer Prevention and Control Policy. The aim of this new policy is to ensure that the early symptoms of cancer are identified early,” said KZN health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
Speaking during a media breakfast at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) on Tuesday, Acting HOD Dr Musa Gumede said the top five cancers in KZN are: cervical cancer; breast cancer; colorectal head and neck tumours and prostate cancer.
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“With the new approach, the Department uses Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC), which is considered to be an alternative to conventional cytological investigations, also known as the Pap Smear.”
“With LBC, a spatula or brush/broom-like device is used to collect cells (in the same way as for conventional cytology), and then the cells are put into a liquid medium and transported to the laboratory for processing and reading. This ensures a good quality and clean slide which is easier to interpret, and reduces the need for repeat pap smear thus saving costs. With the strengthening of early detection, there will be fewer cases of advanced cancer that will require chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery,” said Gumede.
Regarding the repair of oncology machines, the Department said it currently has three functional linear accelerators in the province.
Grey’s Hospital has one (1), while IALCH has two and a third new machine will be commissioned next month.
The installation of a new Addington Hospital machine is expected to be completed by April together with the completion of repairs to the second machine at Addington.
A tender has also been awarded to an Oncology Consortium that will service patients at Inkosi Albert Luthuli and Addington Hospitals.
The successful tenderer is expected to start in February 2018.
This is in addition to the Oncology services already offered at Greys Hospital and a new site catering for Lower Umfolozi and Ngwelezane hospitals in collaboration with JMH group in Richards Bay.
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The Department further stated that an arrangement with the Western Cape Health Department whereby three Registrars will soon be assigned to accredited facilities in Western Cape. One Registrar will be writing final exams in the middle of 2018 and, if all goes well, will return to KZN thereafter as a Specialist Oncologist.
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