Helen Joseph gets new lung laboratory
The centre provides consistent, first world diagnosis, staging, management and palliative care to the most vulnerable and at-risk communities.
The August wind causes sandstorms as it blows all mine dust into the homes of Riverlea and Bosmont residents. Last year we did interviews with residents from Riverlea Extension and found that residents suffered from respiratory issues, residents also showed us sores that developed on their legs, arms and head and many of these illnesses was pointed to the mine dumps that surrounds our community.
On a ‘toxic tour’ with the BenchMark Foundation, it was discovered that the water and sand which surrounds our area is toxic and could cause health issues over time.
While many residents in the area live off oxygen machines, some suffer from other respiratory disorders and some are even undiagnosed.
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Residents do go for check-ups and the local clinics but sometimes they need to travel to hospitals out of our area to receive proper scanning and treatments because our local hospitals do not have state-of-the-art facilities.
Transport is also expensive and therefore many rather live with the illness. Although none of the interviewees was diagnosed with lung cancer, it’s always better to go get examined.
The Department of Health stated that lung cancer continues to be one of the most common cancers worldwide, claiming more lives yearly than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. It is estimated that lung cancer accounts for nearly 1 in 5 cancer deaths globally.
On August 1, the Gauteng Health MEC, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa launched the state-of-the-art Lung Laboratory within the Department of Pulmonology at Helen Joseph Hospital.
The project is in conjunction with the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) and the launch also coincides with World Lung Cancer Day commemorated on August 1.
According to the department of health, the project is aimed at holistically treating lung cancer using diagnostic and interventional therapy for disadvantaged communities.
The vision is to change the negative and hopelessness attitude associated with lung cancer in the medical fraternity and Gauteng community. The centre provides consistent, first world diagnosis, staging, management and palliative care to the most vulnerable and at-risk communities.
In the process of addressing respiratory health care inequity in the disadvantaged communities, the centre also explores and researches the reasons behind the emerging pandemic of lung cancer that is emerging globally.
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF) has provided funding for the lung cancer diagnostic and interventional facility.
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