Censure Motion Submitted for Failed Cancer Treatment in Gauteng

Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted a motion to the Gauteng Legislature to censure Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko for her failure to work with cancer interest groups to ensure speedy treatment to save the lives of cancer patients.

This is why there is a court case by Section27, Cancer Alliance and the Treatment Action Campaign, to force the department to effectively spend the R784 million budget to cut the cancer treatment backlog;

The MEC’s arrogance and negligence in this matter pushed Premier Panyaza Lesufi to announce last week he would “promptly designate an impartial group headed by cancer specialists to serve as a mediator between the department of health and interest groups”.

My motion notes the suffering of cancer patients on the long waiting list for radiation treatment, which should be done within 60 days of surgery or chemotherapy, and no later than 90 days, to destroy remaining malignant cancer cells.

Hundreds of cancer patients are suffering because of the delays, and many will die early because radiation treatment was not done in time.

Also noted is the failure to effectively spend the R250 million budgeted to cut the cancer treatment backlog last year.

Honest and direct communication is needed between the Gauteng Health Department and interest groups rather than mediation that will lead to further delays.

It is significant that this is the first motion of censure in the Gauteng Legislature since its inception in 1994.

There is a real prospect that opposition votes in the Legislature will censure Nkomo-Ralehoko for the terrible suffering of cancer patients, with avoidable deaths likely more than those who died in the Life Esidimeni tragedy.

Regards

Jack Bloom MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health