MEC Manzini launches oncology services at Rob Ferreira Hospital
The Mpumalanga Department of Health identified the need for an oncology treatment centre offering chemotherapy services within Rob Ferreira Hospital, which is one of the two tertiary hospitals in the province.
Travelling long distances to get cancer treatment will now be a thing of the past. The MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini officially launched oncology services at Rob Ferreira Hospital on August 27.
Manzini said the purpose of launching the services is to provide safe cancer care within the province.
“This launch marked the beginning of a new era for the majority of cancer patients who used to have to travel long distance to Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Gauteng, which is more than 300 kilometres away. With the launch of oncology services, we have partnered with Wits University and we hope to transform the future of patients in Mpumalanga. Working together with a dedicated team of oncologists and other key partners like Bristol- Myers Squibb, CANSA and Right to Care, we will drive the change that the community needs in terms of cancer care through continual learning, creative thinking and a collective desire to positively impact the lives of every person touched by cancer,” said Manzini.
“Our plan is to provide more of this service to other hospitals. A fully equipped oncology unit will be incorporated in the business vase for the new tertiary hospital in Witbank, which will be able to provide a full package of oncology services including in-house radiation therapy for the province,” concludes Manzini.
