NATIONAL HEALTH MINISTER STEPS INTO GAUTENG NUCLEAR MEDICINE CRISIS

National Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has had to step in to resolve a crisis in nuclear medicine in Gauteng hospitals because unpaid companies have refused to supply crucial radioisotopes. These radioisotopes are used for diagnosis and treatment particularly for cancer and heart patients.

In the last four weeks about 1000 patients at the Chris Hani Baragwanath and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg hospitals were turned away because there were no isotopes and told to come back later.

The nuclear medicine departments at the Steve Biko and Dr George Mukhari hospitals have also been hit by the isotope shortage. This affects severely the survival chances of cancer patients who need to be treated as soon as possible.

It's an appalling situation caused by the huge problem of unpaid hospital suppliers in Gauteng who are owed more than R1.1 billion.

My information is that isotope suppliers AEC- Amersham and Ithemba Labs will resume supplies shortly after the Minister's intervention, but further crises are likely as other unpaid companies withdraw supplies.

Isotopes break down in a matter of hours and cannot be stored, which is why this sector has been hit first by the payments crisis.

There really is no alternative to a once-off bail-out from the National Treasury as the Gauteng Health Department cannot continue with such huge unpaid debts.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, February 17 2011

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