Two cancer treatment machine licences revoked at one hospital due to staff shortages

The Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in Parktown has had licences for two of its linear accelerator (Linac) machines revoked.

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) revoked the licences due to a shortage of suitably qualified staff at the hospital.

This leaves many cancer patients who are dependent on the hospital for potentially life-saving radiation treatment particularly vulnerable.

Charlotte Maxeke has four Linac machines, which transmit high-energy X-rays or electrons directly into tumours to treat cancer through external beam radiation therapy.

The hospital also has two brachytherapy machines, which are used to treat prostate and cervical cancers by placing a sealed radioactive element directly inside or next to a tumour.

While Charlotte Maxeke’s brachytherapy service remains operational and unaffected, the hospital’s Linac service capability has effectively been halved.

Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Madeleine Hicklin said the hospital had confirmed to her that the development had affected its ability to offer nuclear and radiation therapy.

“Cancer treatment cannot be put on hold,” Hicklin said. “ Every day that treatment is delayed because of a failure to appoint appropriately qualified staff, patients face the risk of their cancer progressing.”

“This failure is unacceptable, as it denies patients access to essential care while leaving qualified healthcare professionals unemployed.”

Hicklin said the revocation of licences pointed to a broader failure by the Gauteng Department of Health (GDH) to ensure that cancer treatment services are fully operational across the province.

She pointed to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, which purchased two additional Linac machines in 2024 using a large portion of the GDH’s Capital Expenditure Budget.

“Yet, the bunkers needed to house these machines still have not been built, leaving expensive equipment in storage instead of being used to treat cancer patients,” Hicklin said.

Hicklin said she would submit questions to the Gauteng Health MEC, Faith Mazibuko, to confirm the situation and establish the steps being taken to address the licence revocation.

The crisis at Charlotte Maxeke comes just days after the Public Protector made a surprise spot inspection of the hospital to investigate concerns about the state of its healthcare services.