By The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has released an official statement addressing public concerns and reports regarding the status of linear accelerator (Linac) machines at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
The department emphasized that no existing Radiation Oncology licenses have been revoked by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).
Addressing Licensing and Staffing at Charlotte Maxeke
At the centre of recent discussions are two new Elekta Harmony Pro linear accelerator machines intended to significantly expand the facility’s capacity for radiation therapy. However, these two additional units have not yet been licensed for clinical use. According to the department, SAHPRA raised specific concerns regarding the staffing levels necessary to safely operate the expanded service.
Key details concerning the current operations at Charlotte Maxeke include:
- Uninterrupted Services: The hospital’s four existing operational machines continue to provide daily radiation therapy services as normal, ensuring patient care remains undisrupted.
- Qualified Personnel: All personnel currently employed within the Radiation Oncology department are fully qualified.
- Active Recruitment: To fulfil the staffing requirements mandated for service expansion, recruitment processes are currently underway to fill two vacant Medical Physics posts.
- Ongoing Engagement: GDoH is actively engaging with SAHPRA regarding pre-licensing inspection requirements, which include exploring existing systems like remote radiotherapy planning.
The department reiterated that the two new machines will only commence clinical treatment once all outstanding regulatory and staffing prerequisites have been fully met and official authorization is secured.
Strategic Relocation of Oncology Equipment
The GDoH also addressed the status of three additional linear accelerator machines that were previously procured for Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. The department acknowledged that this equipment was purchased before the necessary specialized bunkers had been constructed.
Although GDoH is pursuing the construction of two new oncology centres at these respective facilities, a strategic decision has been made to reallocate the equipment.
To address pressing regional needs and alleviate intense pressure on Gauteng’s public healthcare sector—which frequently receives specialized referrals from across the nation—the three machines are being relocated with the coordination of the National Department of Health:
- North West Province: One machine is earmarked to strengthen local capacity.
- Eastern Cape Province: Two machines have been assigned to boost regional oncology services.
The transfer process for these units is currently at an advanced stage. The Gauteng Department of Health maintains its commitment to improving specialized healthcare access, ensuring that patient treatments remain safe, regulated, and aligned with capacity.
