KZN MEC appears before SAHRC over oncology crisis

KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo is appearing before the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in Johannesburg as part of the commission’s investigation into KwaZulu-Natal’s oncology crisis.

Dhlomo is also appearing on allegations that the rights of cancer patients to access oncology services at some Durban hospitals have been violated.

The Commission requires him to produce information and documentation related to the ongoing oncology delivery crisis at public hospitals in the province.

Dhlomo’s appearance comes after 10 months of consultations with the province’s health department in this regard.

In a statement the Commission said, “It remains concerned at the lack of meaningful progress.” And that “it has noted numerous reports that many cancer patients still lack access to timely and appropriate oncology health care and that some may have already died.”