KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Access to Treatment Concerns

According to the briefing by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) dated 23rd August 2017, a report was compiled that found the Department of Health (DOH) violated the rights of patients with cancer at Addington and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospitals to have access to health care services as a result of their failure to comply with applicable norms and standards as set out in the legislation and policies.

Currently there is an 8 month waiting period for cancer patients needing radiation services. There is a 5 month waiting period to see an oncologist. CANSA is working on addressing this through several partnerships. We attended the Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) Health Portfolio Committee where the Commissioner presented his findings. Although the DOH has given the Commissioner a plan which addresses the crisis nothing substantial has been put in place. CANSA continues to refer problem cases to the SAHRC in KZN.