SA’S CANCER STORY (PART 4): The many long journeys for cancer treatment far from home
The road to cancer treatment in South Africa often involves many encounters with healthcare workers and long journeys far from home. From pink iPhone covers to pink embroidery yarn, and cornstarch, Biénne Huisman hears the stories of people from vast corners of inland South Africa, and beyond, who travelled to Bloemfontein for specialist medical attention to treat their cancer. This is part 4 of…
In South Africa, the journey to cancer treatment often involves significant travel and interactions with healthcare professionals. From pink iPhone accessories to yarn, countless stories of patients from remote areas travelling to Bloemfontein for specialist care have been heard. At the Cansa Olea Katleho Care Home in central Bloemfontein, coordinator Ian’sha de Vasch speaks of a 16-year-old leukaemia patient, Blessing Manju, who appeared healthy before tragically passing away two days before her expected care.
The home provides a welcoming space for patients from across Free State, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Lesotho, and even further, offering accommodation while they receive treatment at public hospitals or private facilities. Free State Department of Health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi notes that Bloemfontein sees a high volume of long-distance oncology patients, treating 1,984 new referrals and 22,096 follow-up visits for chemotherapy or other treatments in 2025.
The most common cancers treated are cervical, prostate, breast, and lung. The Olea Katleho Care Home, one of eight such homes in South Africa, accommodates patients who live 50km or more from their treatment facility. Patients must be able to manage personal hygiene, dressing, eating, and mobility, as the care homes are not medical or nursing facilities.
Dr Jacques Malherbe, head of the Division of Clinical Haematology at the University of the Free State, treated 16-year-old Blessing Manju, who had an aggressive form of leukaemia. Manju responded well to initial chemotherapy but deteriorated during a two-week break from treatment, leading to his sudden death. Clinical haematologist Dr Caroline Steyn explains that Manju’s death could be due to a potential blood clot, a risk with certain medications.
In treating Manju, Malherbe and Steyn became emotionally attached to the teenager, as they often see patients from their most severe stages to their recovery. Another patient, Liteboho Sello from northern Lesotho, travelled extensively across national and provincial borders for cancer treatment, including from Maseru to Bloemfontein and Cape Town.
At 19, Sello was diagnosed with bone cancer and later developed leukaemia due to a complication from previous chemotherapy. He required a stem cell transplant, but funding was a challenge as Lesotho’s healthcare system would not cover the procedure.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
