THREE months since the opening of the oncology clinics at Ngwelezana and Lower uMfolozi War Memorial Regional hospitals in July, more than 200 cancer patients have been treated.
They have been providing services through a partnership between Joint Medical Holdings (JMH) and the Department of Health.
‘The idea behind the clinics is that there is already a backlog at hospitals in Durban owing to referrals from other regions,’ said JMH General Manager Musa Madonsela.
‘We provide services to patients in northern KZN to cut the numbers having to travel for treatment to Durban, for example, where many are placed on waiting lists.
‘Through independent oncologists Professor Jordaan and Dr Abrahams, care and treatment for cancer patients in this region is being provided.
‘Prof Jordaan saw a large number of patients at Lower uMfolozi in the first month and puts patients on machines as they become available..
‘Dr Abrahams alternates between Ngwelezana and Lower uMfolozi and sees more than 20 patients a week,’ Madonsela said.
‘When we first arrived there were patients who had last seen a doctor months ago, with some going back to last year.
Now with the oncologists, every patient is being seen to. The backlog has been eliminated.’
Madonsela said while progress has been made, there was still a challenge tracking local patients diagnosed at Ngwelezana or Lower uMfolozi and referred to Addington or iNkosi Albert Luthuli hospitals in Durban. They have not returned.
‘There could be a backlog in terms of those patients, so we are trying to bring them back and make them aware that treatment is available here now.
‘We are really proud of what we have been able to achieve thus far and it seems to inspire everyone to also get involved. It wouldn’t have been possible without the oncologists who have dedicated themselves and their staff to assist,’ Madonsela said.
Lower uMfolozi War Memorial Regional Hospital CEO Nqobile Mkhwanazi confirmed that the clinic was running smoothly.
‘The main objective of opening this clinic had been achieved, which was to alleviate the backlog of oncology patients in northern region four.’
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