Steve Biko Academic Hospital made history on March 7 when it opened the doors of the first-ever medical nuclear research facility on the continent.
The Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (Numeri) centre is a “groundbreaking milestone in medical research that will revolutionise healthcare”.
The R500-million facility took two years to complete and is part of the Department of Science and Technology’s SA research infrastructure roadmap (Sarir).
The department describes the facility as a “one-stop-shop” for medical nuclear imaging and a theragnostic facility dedicated to drug development and clinical research for the benefit of the South African, African and global healthcare sectors.
In addition, local drug researchers, medical practitioners, and international collaborators will also benefit from the Numeri.
The facility’s main purpose is to facilitate research, innovation and value-generation in areas of country and region-specific health challenges.
Some of the functions that the Numeri centre will offer include clinical unit, radiopharmacy, basic and translational research, preclinical imaging, node of infection imaging as well as medical physics and radiobiology unit.
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko visited the centre yesterday where she was pleased with the progress made and expressed excitement over the possibilities the facility offers.
“This facility will improve clinical outcomes, not only in South Africa but on the rest of the African continent.
“This happens at the time when the country is awaiting the President to sign into law the National Health Insurance Bill paving the way for the phased-in rollout of the NHI.
She added the NHI would bring significant changes in terms of equity and access within the healthcare system,” she said.
She called for academic hospitals to collaborate with other universities to propel South African medical research and said the facility has catapulted the province to the forefront of medical care in the country.
“In terms of the level of health, we have raised the bar. This is a significant milestone that not only enhances our medical capabilities but elevates our status as healthcare leaders in innovation,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
We will have researchers from all over the world come to use this facility, it won’t only benefit locals.
I am so happy we’re beating Cape Town and the rest now,” she added.
The MEC said the facility will play a significant role in preserving life, even sharing how she wished technologies such as these were available decades ago to prevent loss in her own life.
“If these technologies were here earlier even I would have still had my husband whom I lost to cancer, though that was God’s will.
Others will be afforded the chance to benefit from the work being done at this facility, which is the first of its kind and a beacon in Africa and one of the few in the world,” she said.
Head of nuclear medicine, Prof Mike Sathekge said the futuristic infrastructure will help improve the quality of life and extend the lifespan and overall survival of cancer patients using radiopharmaceuticals.
“We are currently in a position to do clinical trials that will help us develop and have access to new treatment for conditions that are difficult to treat,” he said.
Sathekge said that while the opening of the facility is a momentous occasion, the real victory is improving the lives of the patients.
“We’ve won several awards here at the hospital but the biggest one is our patients, extending their lives and their survival is the real reason why we do this.
If all goes well, in the next five years, we are expecting over a billion rand to be generated from the Numeri,” he said.
Also read: Five nurses suspended at Steve Biko Academic Hospital
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
