Cancer Alliance challenges Gauteng Health’s appeal on treatment funding

THE Cancer Alliance, alongside Section 27 and other organisations, is considering further legal options following the Gauteng Department of Health’s (GDoH) appeal of R284 million in radiation oncology services intended for patients in the province.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

The decision comes after the GDoH announced it would appeal a recent Johannesburg High Court judgement that ruled in favour of the Cancer Alliance regarding these essential services.

Last Thursday, the Johannesburg High Court issued a ruling that welcomed the Cancer Alliance’s case against the GDoH, declaring the department’s failure to provide life-saving radiation oncology services to patients on the basic-log list as unlawful and unconstitutional.

The case centres on the GDoH’s alleged neglect of over 3 000 patients who have been waiting for these services for more than three years, despite an allocation of R284 million by Gauteng Treasury in March 2023 to address the backlog urgently.

The two parties and other litigants have said that the court judgement follows years of attempts to negotiate and engage with the department over the provision of oncology services to scores of patients.