Joburg cancer machine dispute sorted

2012-06-21 19:48

Siemens machine

Johannesburg - The dispute that led to treatment delays for cancer patients in Johannesburg has been resolved, the Gauteng department of health said on Thursday.

Department head Dr Nomonde Xundu had spoken to the company which services the oncology machines at some of hospitals to ensure they were repaired in the next few days, spokesperson Simon Zwane said in a statement.

Zwane said the department's intervention would ensure that cancer patients received their treatment as soon as possible.

"We regret what has happened. This has been a lesson for us," said Xundu.

He said a catch-up programme would be put in place once the machines had been repaired, and that patients would be called back to resume their treatment. The department would make sure that maintenance was planned for and that contracts were properly managed.

"The department and the government have never reneged on contracts. Dispute[s] over invoices should not be allowed to disrupt services."

On Wednesday, the Democratic Alliance said Siemens was refusing to service the machines because it had not been paid by Phambili Hospital Products, the intermediary company which has a contract with the department.

- SAPA