A backlog of 3 563 patients awaiting MRI scans at Gauteng Hospitals is cause for concern, says the DA, with shadow health Minister Jack Bloom slamming the shortage of the machines, which are critical for diagnosing and treating tumours, injuries and infections.
The party has proposed a partnership with private hospitals to assist public patients, and to reduce the bottleneck in the government hospitals – the worst affected being Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital, where 2 347 patients have to wait 12 months for their scans.
The huge backlog arose because the sole MRI machine broke down seven times last year, and was only replaced on 31 March this year, according to a statement from Bloom on PoliticsWeb.
Other waiting lists are George Mukhari Hospital with 450 patients; Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital – 230 patients; Steve Biko Hospital – 200 patients, and Helen Joseph Hospital, with 160 patients.
Only eight MRI machines are in operation across seven Gauteng public hospitals serving about 12.5m people.
The DA said this was grossly inadequate as comparable middle-income economies have between three (Mexico) and 14 (Brazil) MRIs per million people, which suggests a minimum of 38 MRIs in Gauteng's public health sector.
Large regional hospitals like Leratong, Far East Rand, Sebokeng, Thelle Moegerane, Mamelodi, Tambo Memorial, and Edenvale should all have MRI machines, said Bloom.
New machines were recently installed at Dr George Mukhari and Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital, to replace broken ones, and the MRI machine planned for Tembisa Hospital has been stalled by the recent fire.
The DA has suggested a partnership with private hospitals to access their excess MRI capacity to assist public patients, and that a priority be placed on the maintenance of existing machines and the purchase of new MRIs for regional hospitals.
PoliticsWeb article – 3563 patients wait for MRI scans at Gauteng hospitals (Open access)
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