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The Democratic Alliance is again calling on Premier Panyaza Lesufi to fire Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko following the urgent judgement by the Gauteng High Court to enforce their earlier ruling on the treatment of cancer patients.

In yesterday's judgement in the matter of Cancer Alliance v MEC for Health, Gauteng and 10 Others, Judge Dippenaar noted the "dire consequences" of the backlog of cancer parents requiring urgent radiation treatment. This included "irreversible and permanent harm" as some patients had died while waiting for treatment, and the cancer had spread in other patients, making them ineligible for radiation treatment.

The Gauteng Health Department has appealed the Court ruling on 27 March this year which found their failure to provide cancer treatment was unlawful and unconstitutional. They were ordered to update and maintain the backlog list of cancer patients awaiting radiation oncology services in Gauteng with 45 days of the court’s order, and take all necessary steps to provide treatment to those patients at public or private facilities.

Whereas the Department argued that the court order had fallen away with their appeal, this is now decisively rebuffed by the Court.

This cancer treatment scandal has probably cost more lives than the 144 mental patients who died in the Life Esidimeni tragedy when they were sent to illegal NGOs.

The DA condemns the Department's legal stalling tactics that harms patients who urgently require lifesaving treatment.

It is significant that Judge Dippenaar ordered that the Gauteng Health MEC, the provincial health head of department (HOD) and the CEOs of Charlotte Maxeke and Steve Biko Academic hospitals be held personally liable for the costs of the application.

Premier Lesufi should not allow this cancer disaster to continue. He should fire the Health MEC and Head of Department Lesiba Malotana, and ensure that competent and caring professionals are put in place to save the lives of cancer patients.

The DA will continue to pressure Lesufi with motions and questions in the Legislature to root out the poor management and endemic corruption in our health services.

Issued by Dr Jack Bloom MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC