By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
Mpumalanga Health MEC,Sasekani Manzini, has thanked healthcare workers at Rob Ferreira in Mbombela, for their unwavering dedication and commitment to delivering quality healthcare services to the public.
Manzini was speaking during her visit to the facility on Friday 1 November. Part of the MEC’s visit was to inspect the Oncology Ward which delivers medical care to cancer patients as well as inspecting the availability and stock levels of medication at the pharmacy.
According to the Department of Health, the Unit started providing outpatient services in August 2019 and has expanded to include a ward for inpatients, which was established in July 2021.
In addition, the Department said approximately 300-350 patients receive treatment at the Oncology Unit each month, including 130 patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. Some of the services provided at the Unit include Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy.
“ The unit has provided care to 20,968 patients since its inception, comprising 7,291 chemotherapy patients, 667 radiotherapy recipients, 254 PET scan patients, 10,270 patients on HRT, and 250 demised cases,” said Manzini.
The MEC added that the Department is currently undertaking an initiative to broaden these essential services through the establishment and addition of a Radiation Unit, providing Radiotherapy services.
She called upon the public to use the healthcare services to detect diseases at an early stage, allowing for appropriate medical care to minimise unnecessary loss of life.
“ The top ten cancers that are commonly caused by age-standardised deaths in the province are Breast Cancer, Prostate, Kaposis Sarcoma, Lymphoma, Anorectal, Cervical, Lung colon, Bladder and Penile,” said Manzini.
The Department said installation of the MRI is underway and the processes started and scheduled for completion by March 2025, after all the necessary modifications have been considered.
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