Gauteng Health Dept studying court ruling to immediately provide radiation oncology services to cancer patients

JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Department of Health said it’s in the process of studying a court ruling delivered by the Gauteng High Court to immediately provide radiation oncology services to cancer patients.

Advocacy group Cancer Alliance and Section27 took the department to court for allegedly violating patients’ constitutional rights to healthcare.

The court ruled in favour of the NGOs in the matter; however, the ruling has since been suspended pending an appeal process.

In July, the Johannesburg High Court gave the thumbs up to an application by the Cancer Alliance and Section 27 to have patients provided with oncology services.

However, soon after, it was suspended after the health department filed leave to appeal the ruling and were successful in their bid.

In response, the organisations instituted a counter bid and approached the Gauteng High Court to enforce the ruling, pending the appeal process.

A backlog list from March 2023 showed that nearly 3,000 cancer patients were awaiting treatment, some for over three years, which have resulted in dire consequences.

The Gauteng High Court approved the application, citing that a backlog meant patients were being denied treatment at crucial timelines for their health.

Gauteng Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the department has acknowledged the judgement and it will determine and communicate appropriate course of action once a review is complete.