KZN MEC for Health denies crisis in cancer treatment
"The fact is at we are turning the situation around."
AT a press briefing on Monday, KZN MEC for Health Sibongiseni Dhlomo denied there was a crisis regarding cancer treatment in the province.
Dhlomo, who was addressing the media, also spoke on other health issues facing the province.
“Chemotherapy has not been stopped at any KZN public hospital. All the hospitals that render chemotherapy are providing the treatment. The only challenge that exists concerns the Paclitaxel drug, as the contracted supplier is not able to supply it in keeping with the contract. There is currently no alternative supplier,” he said.
Dhlomo also took a swipe at the media and said he was disappointed to read newspaper headlines about a so-called oncology ‘crisis’ for KZN cancer patients.
“Now, this is most unfortunate on many levels. Firstly, this shortage of chemotherapy drugs is not our fault as a department and it is not unique to KZN.”
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“It is a countrywide problem that is being attended to. Not many suppliers are involved in the manufacture of chemotherapy /cytotoxic agents. However, the National Department of Health is working on finding alternative suppliers for importing via a Section 21 Permit. There are many medicines used in chemotherapy and the selection of what combination is used depends on the condition and other dynamics of the patient. Upon checking stock holding, we have discovered that no fewer than 29 different chemotherapy drugs are available,” said Dhlomo.
Dhloma also denied allegations by DA KZN spokesperson on health, Dr Imran Keeka that children with cancer were not receiving treatment due to shortages of oncology-related drugs.
“There are no waiting times for children who need to see an oncologist. Thanks to our interventions, we have ensured that there are seven fully functional linear accelerators in the province which is higher than any other province in the country. As a result of these measures, the waiting period to see an oncologist for the first time at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (ALCH) and Addington Hospital (ADH) ranges from 3-4 weeks to 8 weeks, depending on the type of required service; while the total number of new patients that are booked is 1036,” said Dhlomo.
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