Repair cancer machines urgently

I WISH the Department of Health in KwaZulu- Natal would look at the matter of cancer patients with seriousness and a willingness to save them.

When the radiotherapy machines break, there is a long process followed to approve repairs.

Requests are sent through a number of committees, like the cash-flow committees, for approval, which mitigates against urgency in getting approvals.

The issue of budget constraints has seen patients suffering in the hands of health-care facilities that are ill-equipped in terms of material and human resources, with the necessary expertise lacking in all categories.

I do not know for how long the machines have been said to be broken, but I would believe, as a taxpayer and a patient, that it becomes the duty of the health-care institution or the health department to transfer sick patients to another equipped institution, irrespective of the distance, so that they can obtain help.

The past few years have been disastrous for KZN communities, as R4.1 billion was overspent by the health department.

The lack of expertise renders the department incompetent and opens the doors to unnecessary litigation.

This is especially prevalent in the Maternal, Child and Women’s Health division of health facilities.

We don’t want to see overspending when our communities are dying because the machines to help them sustain their lives are broken and re- pairs take for ever. Our not well-to-do communities don’t have medical aid to receive private treatment.

I appeal to the health MEC to ensure that all department heads are working towards the goal of providing quality health care for all. I also appeal to departmental managers to report dysfunctional equipment timeously so that alternatives can be sought. ANONYMOUS e-mail

A machine used to streamline cancer tumour treatment. A reader says that a long process is followed to approve repairs when cancer machines break down.