A breast cancer patient whose radiation treatment has been disrupted due to delays at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, has spoken of her pain and suffering.
Theresa Schultz, who approached The Star on various occasions in the past about her battle with cancer and failed attempts to get treatment, has again been let down because of a series of radiation treatment backlogs at the hospital.
Schultz told the The Star on Monday, that she had been on the waiting list for more than two years. “I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage three. My mastectomy was done a while back then I was on the waiting list at Charlotte Maxeke hospital for radiation treatment as there was apparently a long backlog for radiation. I finally received a date for 7th of August 2024.
“When I arrived at radiology I was asked to open up a file which I did. Finally, I managed to get to the lady dealing with the bookings. I was then told that she could not assist me because I did not have the necessary form and was sent away. How long will I wait for the next booking? Will I still be alive? The same lady is the one who I submitted the forms to on the day she wrote the appointment in my blue card,” she said.
The mother of two said having witnessed the death of a friend and a fellow cancer patient, she feared the worst as time was running out.
“Things are getting worse for me because, a friend of mine who was also awaiting radiology passed away two weeks ago after eventually having the treatment. It was too late as her cancer had spread to her lungs.
“I am placing this on record because should my cancer spread I will hold the hospital responsible particularly the radiation department after waiting so long to no avail,” Schultz added.
Last year, The Star reported that the shortage of linen across Gauteng hospitals cost Schultz who had managed to secure a date for her operation after months of delays. At the time, she felt confident after the hospital gave her a call with her new date. However, things did not improve with more delays adding to her trauma.
Previously, Schultz indicated that she was in the process of taking legal action against the hospital as her right to life had been threatened due to the delays
At the time, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Health, Motalatale Modiba, said there was a communication misunderstanding between the patient and the hospital officials, which he had personally resolved.
Attempts to get new comment from the hospital were unsuccessful at the time of going to print due to the hospital’s spokesperson, Tabudi Madisha, being on leave. He promised to follow-up and revert to The Star.
Last month, the DA accused the provincial health department of having failed to make use of R784 million budgeted for cancer patients following a high court application filed by the Cancer Alliance and Section27.
DA Gauteng shadow MEC of health, Jack Bloom, likened the crisis to the Life Esidemini tragedy which claimed the lives of 144 mental health care patients and the exposure of 1 418 others to torture, trauma, and poor health outcomes.
“I agree with the Cancer Alliance that this is effectively a death sentence for 3000 cancer patients who urgently need treatment. Paying R250 million for ‘planning services’ is suspect and irrational. Cancer Alliance is seeking an interdict to force the Department to provide urgent cancer treatment as their delays are ‘unlawful and unconstitutional’. It seems the lessons of the Esidimeni disaster have not been learnt,” said Bloom.
The Star
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