New MRI machines have been installed at Steve Biko Academic Hospital and Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital by the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH), while radiology booking times and staffing have been prioritised in efforts to slash backlogs.
Gauteng Health & Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko told The Citizen that new equipment was being supported by service-level agreements to prevent lengthy downtimes and ensure quick resolution of faults, and that other new technology was being explored.
She said Steve Biko had recently replaced a decommissioned MRI unit, while Charlotte Maxeke commissioned a new machine in March.
Chris Hani Baragwanath also has a functional MRI machine, completing the rollout across Gauteng’s four central hospitals, while at tertiary level, Helen Joseph, Kalafong, and Rahima Moosa Hospitals also provide MRI services.
She added that installation at Tembisa Hospital was taking place after delays by a fire in the imaging section.
Backlogs and emergency prioritisation
Despite improvements, Charlotte Maxeke Hospital has a backlog of 2 347 patients awaiting MRI scans, followed by 450 at Dr George Mukhari.
To ease these pressures, the department has extended imaging hours, improved booking systems and increased radiology staffing. Steve Biko and Dr George Mukhari also offer same-day MRIs for emergency cases, and where facilities lack MRI machines, patients are referred to nearby hospitals based on clinical urgency.
This referral model is monitored daily to avoid missed cases.
The department was also looking at enhancing digital systems like PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) to streamline image storage and reporting, and exploring helium-free MRI technology to prevent disruptions caused by cable theft.
The Citizen article – Gauteng hospitals get major tech overhaul to slash scan backlogs (Open access)
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