Cancer patients in the Eastern Cape will have improved access to specialised treatment following the opening of a R416 million oncology centre at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha.
The new facility brings chemotherapy, radiotherapy, brachytherapy and specialised inpatient care closer to patients who previously had to travel long distances to access some forms of cancer treatment.
The centre will particularly benefit patients from the OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi districts.
Patients previously had to travel for radiotherapy in the Eastern Cape
Before the new centre opened, patients requiring radiotherapy at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital had to be referred to oncology centres in KuGompo City and Gqeberha.
This meant some patients had to travel significant distances and spend extended periods away from their families while undergoing treatment.
The new facility is expected to reduce the need for this travel by bringing a wider range of specialised oncology services to Mthatha.
68 beds for inpatient treatment
The state-of-the-art centre is equipped with two linear accelerator (LINAC) machines, which are used to deliver radiotherapy treatment.
It also has 68 dedicated inpatient beds, comprising:
The facility also includes an outpatient department with consultation rooms, counselling facilities and resuscitation capacity.
A dedicated oncology pharmacy has been included, with areas for chemotherapy mixing and dispensing.
The centre includes dedicated areas for chemotherapy treatment, as well as isolation rooms and procedure and treatment rooms.
There are also nursing stations, patient holding areas and recovery facilities designed to support patients throughout their treatment.
A suspended link bridge connects the new oncology centre to the existing hospital.
This provides access to supporting services including radiology, laboratories, theatres and the Central Sterile Services Department.
The provincial government said the building has been designed with future expansion in mind.
The structure can accommodate two additional floors, allowing the facility to expand as demand for specialised cancer treatment grows.
