The Gauteng Department of Health on Thursday unveiled state-of-the-art health equipment and medical technology at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria.
The new health equipment, worth over R26 million, includes two Catheterisation Laboratories (Cath Lab), two Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, a Positron Emission Tomography-computed Tomography (PECT-CT), three Bucky X-rays units, a Chest X-ray unit, three Mobile C-Arm machines and six mobile X-rays.
The MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, said procurement of this cutting-edge medical technology was in line with the department’s priorities to modernise and improve health infrastructure.
“We want to ensure that every patient who walks through the doors of our facilities receives the best possible care. Therefore, it is imperative that our healthcare facilities are well equipped with the necessary resources to provide the quality healthcare services,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
The new equipment would not only ensure efficient patient care and timely services in public health, but would determine accurate diagnostic imaging and treatment.
“The newly procured, advanced, health equipment is less invasive, more comfortable, and often quicker, making treatments and procedures less daunting for patients. They are also going to reduce errors, enhance outcomes, and build trust between healthcare providers and patients,” said the department.
Paediatric cardiologist at SBAH, Dr Mamokgethi Rangaka, added that the machinery will speed up services.
“We are very elated as the clinical staff to have new Catheterisation laboratories in this hospital that receives hundreds of patients on a daily basis in need of diagnostic imaging, testing, and treatment. We will now be able to operate two patients simultaneously ” she said.
The department also launched the state-of-the-art Hybrid Angio Suite and Catheterisation Laboratory at the province’s leading hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), on Friday.
This new infrastructure is a key milestone in the hospital’s radiology renewal project.
The machinery is set to improve healthcare services in the Radiation Science Division, including the replacement and modernisation of critical equipment such as the CT and MRI scanners, gamma cameras, and cobalt machines.
“Through these interventions that we are doing as a department, we are taking steps to ensure that academic hospitals continue to play a leading role in providing specialised services as part of a public health facility, while most importantly meeting the needs of our patients. These advancements that we are doing now will go a long way in improving our capacity to improve, especially cancer treatment,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
The Star