By 
JOHANNESBURG — Cryotherapy services using liquid nitrogen have officially resumed at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) following a three-month supply disruption that delayed essential skin cancer care for hundreds of patients.
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) confirmed the restoration of services on Thursday, announcing a targeted, phased plan to clear the backlog created by the supply halt.
The Impact on Skin Cancer Patients
Liquid nitrogen is a critical clinical tool utilized by the hospital’s Dermatology Department for cryotherapy—a procedure that freezes and destroys pre-cancerous skin lesions and targeted superficial skin cancers.
During the three-month supply gap, clinic estimates indicate that approximately 720 patients faced delays in receiving their planned cryotherapy treatments. The affected patient population included individuals managing:
- Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (common forms of skin cancer)
- Keratoacanthoma (a fast-growing, low-grade skin tumour)
- Solar keratoses (pre-cancerous patches caused by sun damage)
Despite the supply shortage, clinicians continued evaluating patients individually, utilizing alternative clinical options where appropriate—including topical therapies, cauterisation, and curettage—to manage conditions during the interim.
Financial Bottlenecks and Administrative Delays
The disruption underscores the ongoing operational pressures facing South Africa’s public healthcare sector.
According to the GDoH, the temporary shortage occurred after the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS)—which historically supplied liquid nitrogen to CMJAH’s Dermatology Department—experienced funding constraints that hindered its procurement abilities.
Compounding the supply issue was a substantial administrative backlog: CMJAH held outstanding invoices totaling approximately R121 million owed to the NHLS. The department noted that these invoices required extensive reconciliation because they were initially submitted without itemized monthly billing periods necessary to verify amounts before processing payment.
Following the submission and verification of reconciled billing, payments commenced under financial regulations, ultimately resolving the dispute and restoring liquid nitrogen deliveries.
“The Department acknowledges that the interruption occurred against the backdrop of a public healthcare system under significant financial and service delivery pressures, where increasing demand for healthcare services continues to place strain on available resources,” the GDoH stated in its release.
Phased Backlog Plan and Patient Guidance
With liquid nitrogen supplies fully replenished, the hospital’s Dermatology Department is reviewing its waiting lists to prioritize care based on clinical urgency.
The GDoH issued an official apology to affected patients for the inconvenience and strain caused by the delay, promising closer collaboration with the NHLS and other healthcare stakeholders to strengthen financial management, ensure supply continuity, and safeguard uninterrupted care moving forward.
Patients awaiting updates on their appointments or treatment schedules are encouraged to reach out to the hospital directly:
- Direct Contact: Contact the CMJAH Dermatology Clinic
- Complaints & Feedback: Email patientscomplaints.health@gauteng.gov.za, SMS 35023, or call the 24-hour customer line at 0800 203 886.
