Steve Biko Hospital is leading world’s cancer war

The Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, is renowned for its advanced cancer care and is recognized worldwide, according to health experts. This is due in part to its nuclear medicine facility, led by Prof Mike Sathekge, which specializes in treating prostate and breast cancer. In fact, 50 patients from Europe were referred to the facility in 2017, underscoring its global respect.

Salomé Meyer, a cancer activist, emphasized the facility's significance, stating that it offers access to advanced nuclear medicine technologies for diagnosis and treatment, including therapies not commonly available elsewhere. She also highlighted that the South African public health sector leads in several specialized technologies, which require significant capital, specialized expertise, and sustained public funding.

However, Meyer noted that the real challenge lies not in the quality of specialist cancer care provided by the public sector but in access to it. South Africa's public health system serves 86% of the population through only 11 dedicated radiation oncology centers, while the private sector serves 14% of the population but has access to about 80% of the country's oncology specialists and much of the advanced equipment.

The recent imPACT review by the International Atomic Energy Agency, International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the World Health Organisation identified both the strengths and gaps in South Africa's cancer services. The review's recommendations will inform a comprehensive national cancer control plan and an appropriate long-term investment strategy.

Despite the availability of world-class clinical expertise and technology, delays in diagnosis, workforce shortages, long waiting lists, and treatment delays pose significant challenges, according to Meyer. She urged for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to improve equitable cancer care in South Africa.

Trudy Khumalo of Women Against Cancer pointed out that while the public health sector has highly specialized facilities and expertise, this does not guarantee every patient will receive high-quality service. Factors such as staffing levels, waiting times, availability of medicines, maintenance of equipment, administrative systems, communication with patients, and overall capacity of the health facility also play crucial roles.

Khumalo stressed that more public hospitals and specialized oncology centers, akin to Steve Biko, are needed, particularly outside major urban centers. She emphasized that while government should acknowledge the expertise in public hospitals, it must also address the service challenges faced by patients.