CAT scan breakdown puts patient's lives in danger: DA

Patients' lives have been in danger since two CAT scanners broke at the Chris Hani Baragwanath and Leratong hospitals, the Democratic Alliance said .

Spokesman Jack Bloom said the health department owed the TecMed company millions of rands and as a result the CAT scanners, which broke two months ago, had not been repaired.

"A 67-year-old man died recently at the Rahima Moosa Hospital [in Coronationville, Johannesburg] after delays caused by the lack of a CAT scanner at the Leratong Hospital, where he was first admitted."

There was a backlog at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital of more than 500 patients needing a CAT scan.

"The department must sort out its continuing payment problems as soon as possible, without poor excuses," he said.

Gauteng health department spokesman Simon Zwane said there were two scanners at Baragwanath. One was in working order, while the other was waiting for a replacement part.

"Our hospitals support each other, and emergency scans will be done at Charlotte Maxeke [Johannesburg Academic Hospital]... instead of Bara," Zwane said.

The department strove to ensure that diagnostic equipment was in working order, he said.