BuaNews (Tshwane)
Gabi Khumalo
18 April 2008
Pretoria — The Gauteng Health Department has unveiled the latest advanced cancer technology machine to detect cancer and examine the effects of cancer therapy.
The Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography (PET-CT) scanner was launched on Thursday by Provincial Health MEC Brian Hlongwa at the Pretoria Academic Hospital.
The scanner, which is the second in a South African public hospital after the one at Inkosi Albert Luthuli in KwaZulu-Natal, is also used to assess the extent of heart diseases and neurological conditions.
Unveiling the machine, Mr Hlongwa said while the department is improving District Health Services with a special focus on Primary Health Care, it is equally sensitive to teaching, training, research needs and also maintaining standards at the Academic Hospitals
"The scanner is not only the newest and one of the most powerful tools used in diagnostic imaging, it will also make a significant contribution to the provision of quality health services to the people of Gauteng and those neighbouring provinces which are served by our tertiary hospitals," said Mr Hlongwa.
However, he noted that it was a sad reality that cancer is one of the leading deadly diseases among our people.
More than 3 400 South African women die every year from cervical cancer.
Mr Hlongwa stressed the importance of early detection of cancer, which increases the chances for successful treatment.
The components that lead to an early detection of cancer are about educating the community to promote early diagnosis and screening, he said.
Among the benefits of the PET-CT scanner is that it can detect cancer earlier, even before symptoms arise.
It helps to avoid unnecessary procedures such as invasive surgery to see if a tumour exists,
give a more accurate picture of the internal workings of the human body and detect tumours as small as 4mm in total length.
It also assist surgeons in planning a form of treatment or route to the target tumour since it offers a more complete picture as there is more detail as well as both functional and anatomical information on the same image
It also provides excellent patient monitoring options, both in seeing if all cancer has been removed or recurred, help surgeons decide if surgery is a necessary option and determine if someone is at risk of coronary illness before symptoms occur.
In addition, its files can be imported into radiation therapy planning computers, aiding surgery.
Mr Hlongwa noted that at another level, the scanner will improve standards of care in line with International Cancer Accreditation Standards.
"We hope it will improve the recruitment and retention of staff and will create partnership to provide cancer imaging services for other healthcare organisations including private and public in South African Development Community and beyond, this is something to be celebrated," he said.
Although the scanner is based in Tshwane, it will be used by Dr George Mukhari Hospital, Kalafong Hospital and other surrounding hospitals in north of Jukskei River.
The scanner will potentially save thousands of Rands from hospital admissions including high care, unnecessary investigations, theatre costs, ineffective chemotherapy and surgical costs.
"Here is something to be proud of and let us use these resources wisely to help our people enjoy better life," said Mr Hlongwa.
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