R784m cancer fund chaos!

CIVIL society organisations have taken the Gauteng Health Department to court for failure to spend R784 million allocated for cancer patients.

This follows a lawsuit filed by Cancer Alliance, represented by SECTION27, against MEC for Health in Gauteng, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH), and nine others.

The organisation said the lawsuit is in response to the GDoH's inability to use the R784 million provided by the Gauteng Treasury in 2023 to tackle the radiation and other surgical backlogs in Gauteng.

SECTION27 spokeswoman, Pearl Nicodemus said despite the allocation of funds specifically for reducing the backlog in radiation oncology and surgery, the GDoH has not made significant progress in delivering radiation oncology treatment to cancer patients on the waiting list.

Following a protest by SECTION27, the Cancer Alliance, and Treatment Action Campaign on 30 April 2024, and after months without communication, the GDoH announced via a media statement that they have allocated R250 million to contract planning services for outsourcing radiation and oncology services for one year.

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Nicodemus added that the remaining R534 million is allegedly earmarked for investment in oncology, medical, and allied equipment, including the construction of a bunker to house some of the machines.

Due to a lack of action to provide urgent radiation oncology services to 3 000 patients on the backlog list, they were compelled to file an application to interdict payment and disbursement of the R250 million to ensure cancer patients urgently receive the necessary radiation and oncology services.

"Radiation oncology services are a critical component in the treatment of cancer, and thus this case is extremely urgent," stated Nicodemus.

Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, remarked that the court action brings back memories of the Life Esidimeni negligence.

"The DA will continue to pressure the department to provide adequate cancer treatment through questions and motions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. People should not perish due to the department's infamous corruption, incompetence, and negligence," Bloom said.

The court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, 23 July in the Joburg High Court.

The GDoH confirmed that it is aware of the legal application brought forward by the Cancer Alliance and other organisations.

"The Department wants to state unequivocally that it will be opposing this matter in court. It is important to clarify that the application by the Cancer Alliance is primarily driven by the awarding of a tender in which their preferred service provider failed to participate within the validity period," said GDoH spokesman Motalatale Modiba.

He further added that the Department remains committed to provide essential healthcare services for the people of Gauteng.

"We continue to comply with all requirements to ensure that radiation oncology services are delivered to all patients who need them," he said