The closure of Charlotte Maxeke Hospital since April is creating a health crisis in Gauteng. Hospices, oncology units and palliative care units have been most affected by the closure of the hospital.
Head of Advocacy for the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa), Zodwa Sithole said, “We’re being inundated by calls from desperate people whose families can no longer access the care that they need from Charlotte Maxeke Hospital. We’re in contact with the provincial government, however, there needs to be more assistance to meet the needs of both cancer patients and patients who are not able to do their cancer screening. Patients are anxious as they are experiencing delays in their treatment and many need assistance with pain management, stoma and wound care.”
Jacqui Kaye, CEO of HospiceWits added that their hospices in Houghton and Soweto have had quite a few calls for support for patients from Charlotte Maxeke Hospital. Kaye explained, “Most of these patients are non-malignant cases looking for help and support and even medication. These are not really hospice cases.
“We have probably registered about five oncology patients who were having treatment at the hospital, mostly for homecare. Most of the oncology patients have had to be referred to Helen Joseph or Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. For HospiceWits, the non-malignant cases are more of a concern as they are not receiving the help that they need.”
Palliative care has been highlighted over the last year, as it is the holistic treatment of life-threatening disease diagnoses and therefore applied to complicated Covid-19 infections. CEO of Hospice Palliative Care Association, Ewa Skowronska said, “The situation in Gauteng is highlighting the need for more resources to be supplied to the palliative care sector; particularly those sectors that provide their services free of charge to those who cannot afford treatment.”
Skowronska added that the current situation in Gauteng is an unacceptable one. “Human lives are at risk and human suffering is not receiving the attention it deserves. We urge anyone that needs palliative care help to access hospice via our website and we urge the South African government to prioritise resource allocation to the palliative care sector as a whole,” she concluded.
Details: If you or your family needs help, please find your closest hospice by visiting https://hpca.co.za/province/gauteng/
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