Over 1 500 Cancer Patients Receive Treatment Thanks to Outsourcing Initiative

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) confirmed that outsourcing partnerships and public hospital services now help more than 1 500 cancer patients receive treatment. This milestone reduces long waiting times and ensures patients access timely, effective care.

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Cancer Patients Receive Treatment Through Outsourcing

To reduce radiotherapy delays, the GDoH allocated funds to private healthcare providers. This strategy prioritises patients with prostate and breast cancer, who previously faced long waits.

Patients first visit Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital or Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Doctors then refer them to private facilities for treatment. After treatment, patients return to public hospitals for follow-up care.

Over 1 500 Patients Treated by Mid-2025

By the end of July 2025, 1 076 patients had completed radiation oncology treatment. As of early August, an additional 563 patients were still receiving care through outsourcing partnerships. This means that more than 1 500 cancer patients receive treatment under this initiative, easing the pressure on public hospitals.

New Radiotherapy Centres Under Construction

To strengthen long-term oncology care, the Gauteng Department of Health is constructing new radiotherapy centres at two major academic hospitals:

Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (Soweto, Johannesburg)

• Founded: Opened in 1942 as the Imperial Military Hospital, Baragwanath during World War II. It was later renamed Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in 1997, in honour of the late anti-apartheid leader Chris Hani.
• Location: Situated in Diepkloof, Soweto, Johannesburg South, Gauteng. It is the largest hospital in Africa, and one of the ten largest hospitals in the world.
• Capacity: Approximately 3 400 beds across a campus of 70 hectares (173 acres).
• Role & Affiliation: A major teaching hospital affiliated with the University of the Witwatersrand, serving as a centre for tertiary healthcare, emergency medicine, and medical training.

Contact Information:

• Address: 26 Chris Hani Road, Diepkloof, Johannesburg, 1864
• Phone: +27 (0)11 933 8000
• Public Relations Office: +27 (0)11 933 9111
• Open: 24 hours

Learn more: Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Adjusts Visiting Hours from September 2025

Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria)

• Founded: Established in 1972 as Ga-Rankuwa Hospital. In 2011, it was renamed Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and officially gained academic hospital status.
• Location: Located in the north of Pretoria, near the township of Ga-Rankuwa, Gauteng.
• Capacity: 1 652 beds, making it one of the largest hospitals in South Africa.
• Role & Affiliation: A public tertiary and teaching hospital affiliated with Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), focusing on specialised healthcare, oncology, and medical research.
• Contact Information:
  • Address: 3111 Setlogelo Drive, Ga-Rankuwa Unit 2, Pretoria, 0208
  • Phone: +27 (0)12 529 3000
  • Hours: Open 24 hours
  • Care system: Public

Investment in Advanced Medical Equipment

In addition to outsourcing, the Department has invested in upgrading diagnostic and treatment equipment across major hospitals. Modern radiation machines improve treatment accuracy, reduce side effects, and allow specialists to deliver personalised cancer care.

Related: Far East Rand Hospital Emergency Unit to Undergo Major Renovations

What Cancer Treatments Are Available in South Africa?

Cancer treatment in South Africa depends on several factors, including the type of cancer, its stage, the patient’s overall health, and the availability of resources.

While public hospitals provide most standard treatments, some advanced therapies are mainly available in specialised centres or private healthcare facilities.

Below is an overview of the main treatment options available:

Radiation Therapy

• What it is: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (such as X-rays or protons) to target and destroy cancer cells while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
• When it’s used: Commonly for cancers such as breast, prostate, cervical, and head and neck cancers. It can be used alone, before surgery to shrink tumours, or after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells.
• Access in South Africa: Public hospitals such as Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Groote Schuur Hospital, Tygerberg Hospital, and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital have radiotherapy units. However, waiting times can be long in the public sector, which is why Gauteng has introduced outsourcing to private hospitals.

Chemotherapy

• What it is: Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs that circulate in the bloodstream to kill cancer cells or slow their growth.
• When it’s used: Often prescribed for blood cancers like leukaemia, lymphomas, and solid tumours (breast, ovarian, lung cancers). It may be given before surgery to shrink tumours, after surgery to reduce recurrence, or alongside radiation therapy.
• Side effects: Fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and weakened immunity, though side effects vary depending on the drugs used.
• Access in South Africa: Widely available in both public and private hospitals. Most large tertiary hospitals provide chemotherapy services, although drug shortages occasionally affect availability in the public sector.

Surgery

• What it is: Surgical removal of cancerous tumours and surrounding tissue. Surgery can also be used to relieve symptoms (palliative care).
• When it’s used: For cancers that are localised and operable — such as breast cancer, colon cancer, and early-stage lung cancer.
• Access in South Africa: Public hospitals provide surgical oncology through specialised units. Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, and Universitas Academic Hospital are among those offering advanced cancer surgery.

Hormone Therapy

• What it is: Medications or procedures that block or reduce hormones which fuel the growth of certain cancers.
• When it’s used: Primarily for breast cancer (oestrogen-positive) and prostate cancer (testosterone-driven). It may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
• Access in South Africa: Available in the public sector, although treatment protocols may vary. These medications are also included in the Essential Medicines List (EML) for public hospitals.

Targeted Therapy

• What it is: A newer generation of cancer drugs designed to specifically target molecules or pathways that cancer cells use to grow. Unlike chemotherapy, they focus on the cancer cells while sparing most normal cells.
• Examples: Trastuzumab (Herceptin) for HER2-positive breast cancer, imatinib (Gleevec) for chronic myeloid leukaemia.
• Access in South Africa: These drugs are available but mainly in the private healthcare sector or through limited state hospital programmes. Cost remains a significant barrier.

Immunotherapy

• What it is: A groundbreaking treatment that uses the patient’s immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells.
• Examples: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (such as nivolumab, pembrolizumab).
• When it’s used: For advanced cancers like melanoma, lung cancer, and certain lymphomas.
• Access in South Africa: Mostly limited to private hospitals and clinical trials. Public sector access is still restricted due to the high costs of these medicines.

Palliative Care and Supportive Treatments

• What it is: Care designed not to cure but to improve quality of life — by managing symptoms such as pain, nausea, fatigue, or emotional distress.
• Where it’s available: Most public hospitals have palliative care services, and NGOs such as Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA) and CANSA offer additional support for patients and families.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

• What it is: Non-traditional treatments such as nutritional support, traditional African medicine, or holistic therapies like massage, yoga, and counselling.
• Important Note: While supportive therapies can help with side effects and mental health, patients are strongly advised not to replace conventional cancer treatments with unproven alternatives.

Access Challenges in South Africa

• Urban vs Rural Divide: Most specialised oncology centres are in large cities (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein), making it harder for rural patients to access treatment.
• Waiting Times: Radiation therapy waiting lists can extend for months in the public sector.
• Costs: Public healthcare is heavily subsidised, but advanced treatments like immunotherapy are often only available in the private sector at high costs.

How Cancer Patients Receive Treatment in the Public Sector

Accessing cancer care through the public healthcare system in Gauteng follows a structured process that ensures comprehensive, step-by-step treatment for every patient.

This process aims to ensure that no one is left behind in receiving timely and appropriate cancer care, regardless of their financial situation.

Primary Healthcare Visit

The journey to cancer treatment begins with a visit to a local clinic or community health centre. During this visit, a healthcare provider will conduct a thorough assessment based on the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and physical examination.

If the patient presents symptoms that may suggest cancer, the healthcare professional will order preliminary tests and investigations to determine the next course of action.

Early detection and identification are critical to the success of cancer treatment, and local clinics play an essential role in identifying potential cases at the earliest possible stage.

Referral to Hospital

If cancer is suspected based on initial assessments or test results, the patient will be referred to a district or tertiary hospital for more specialized care. The referral process helps ensure that the patient receives the appropriate diagnostic evaluations, including imaging studies (e.g., X-rays, CT scans, MRIs) and biopsies.

At the hospital, the patient will be assigned to a team of healthcare professionals who are trained in oncology and have access to advanced diagnostic equipment that may not be available at the primary healthcare level.

These hospitals, such as Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital or Steve Biko Academic Hospital, serve as hubs for cancer treatment in the public sector.

Specialist Assessment

Once referred to the hospital, the patient will undergo a more comprehensive evaluation by oncologists who specialize in cancer care. Oncologists will perform further diagnostic tests to confirm the type of cancer and its stage, which is crucial in determining the best treatment plan.

This assessment often includes a combination of medical imaging, laboratory tests, and physical examinations. The oncologist will then discuss the diagnosis with the patient and explain the available treatment options, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination of treatments.

The treatment plan is carefully tailored to the patient’s specific needs, taking into account factors such as the type of cancer, its progression, the patient’s overall health, and their personal preferences.

Treatment Allocation

Depending on the urgency of the diagnosis and the treatment required, the patient may begin their treatment at the public hospital or be referred to a private healthcare partner under government initiatives.

In cases where the hospital’s capacity is limited or if urgent care is needed, the Department of Health has established partnerships with private healthcare providers to offer services such as radiotherapy, where patients may be referred for faster treatment.

For example, patients who require radiotherapy for prostate or breast cancer are often referred to private facilities that have the necessary resources and technology to administer the treatment quickly. Once the treatment is completed, patients are reintegrated into the public healthcare system for ongoing follow-up care, ensuring continuity and comprehensive support throughout their cancer journey.

The referral to private partners is part of the government’s efforts to address the backlog in cancer treatment services. By outsourcing certain aspects of cancer care, the Department of Health has been able to reduce waiting times for critical treatments and ensure that patients receive timely, quality care.

Overall, the public sector’s cancer treatment pathway is designed to ensure that all patients, no matter where they are located, can access the right level of care in a timely manner.

The system involves multiple stages of care, from primary healthcare assessment to specialized treatment, to help guide cancer patients toward recovery with dignity and support.

Addressing Long Waiting Times for Cancer Patients

One of the biggest challenges in the public healthcare system has been the long waiting times for radiotherapy and oncology services. Outsourcing to private providers is helping to cut these delays, especially for urgent cases like prostate and breast cancer.

Financial Support and Access to Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatment in the public sector is subsidised by the government, making it accessible to patients who cannot afford private healthcare costs. Patients may still face additional expenses such as transport or accommodation, especially if they live far from treatment centres.

Organisations such as the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) also provide support services, including counselling, patient navigation, and awareness programmes.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

The chances of successful treatment improve significantly when cancer is diagnosed early. Regular health check-ups, screenings, and paying attention to warning signs can help detect cancer in its earlier stages.

Common warning signs include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent pain or fatigue
• Abnormal lumps or swelling
• Changes in skin or moles

Government’s Long-Term Commitment

The GDoH has emphasised its commitment to building a responsive, equitable, and people-centred healthcare system. This includes expanding cancer care infrastructure, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring that cancer patients receive treatment with dignity and compassion.

Key Takeaways for Cancer Patients in Gauteng

• More than 1 500 cancer patients receive treatment through outsourcing to private providers.
• Prostate and breast cancer patients are prioritised to reduce delays.
• New radiotherapy centres are under construction at Baragwanath and Dr George Mukhari hospitals.
• Patients can access care through public clinics and referral systems.
• The government continues to invest in equipment, infrastructure, and partnerships to improve access.