Gauteng hospitals get major tech overhaul to slash scan backlogs
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has ramped up the installation of new MRI machines at key hospitals across the province in a bid to modernise diagnostic services and reduce lengthy waiting times.
This follows growing pressure on public health facilities due to outdated equipment, high demand, and historic staff shortages.
Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said upgrades are well underway, with several hospitals now operating new MRI units as part of a broader turnaround strategy.
'We have taken steps to ensure that MRI machines are supported by service-level agreements to prevent lengthy downtimes and ensure quick resolution of technical faults,' said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Key hospitals equipped with new machines
New MRI machines have been successfully installed early this year at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
'These machines were commissioned in early 2025, enabling significant improvements in service delivery and reducing reliance on older, often faulty equipment.'
Steve Biko recently replaced a decommissioned MRI unit, while Charlotte Maxeke commissioned a new machine in March.
Chris Hani Baragwanath also has a functional MRI machine, completing the rollout across Gauteng's four central hospitals.
At the tertiary level, Helen Joseph, Kalafong, and Rahima Moosa hospitals also provide MRI services.
Meanwhile, installation at Tembisa Hospital is ongoing following delays caused by a fire in the imaging section.
ALSO READ: Health MEC says Tembisa Hospital still operational after fire, confirms no injuries [PICS]
Backlogs and emergency prioritisation
Despite improvements, Charlotte Maxeke Hospital has a backlog of 2 347 patients awaiting MRI scans, followed by 450 at Dr George Mukhari.
To ease these pressures, the department has extended imaging hours, improved booking systems and increased radiology staffing.
'Urgent and emergency scans are prioritised across the province,' the department said, noting that hospitals such as Steve Biko and Dr George Mukhari offer same-day MRIs for emergency cases.
Where facilities lack MRI machines, patients are referred to nearby hospitals based on clinical urgency. This referral model is monitored daily to avoid missed cases.
ALSO READ: Operations continue at Tembisa hospital after second fire in less than a week
Tech upgrades and safety measures
In addition to equipment upgrades, the department is enhancing digital systems like PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) to streamline image storage and reporting.
It is also exploring helium-free MRI technology to prevent disruptions caused by cable theft.
'The Department reiterates its commitment to ensuring equitable access to diagnostic services across all regions.
'We will continue to communicate transparently with the public on service availability and improvements,' said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
NOW READ: Gauteng health urges parents to take children for immunisation
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming a podiatrist
Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming a podiatrist Choosing the right career is a crucial decision with far-reaching consequences. It shapes your future, making it essential to make an informed choice. Over the next few weeks, The African Reporter will engage with businesspeople, professionals, and other key figures, focusing on a different career each week. Our goal is to offer valuable guidance to younger readers navigating their career paths. This week, we explore the career of podiatry. Xolisile Siluma has been a podiatrist for 12 years. 'I always wanted to do something in the medical field. I fell in love with podiatry after attending a university open day. Many of my family members had amputations, and I wanted to be in a position to help prevent that,' she says. What she enjoys most about her profession is the flexibility it offers. 'I love that I can choose my working hours and environments, and that I bring smiles to people's faces every day.' ALSO READ: Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey What is podiatry? Podiatry is a healthcare programme that deals with assessing, diagnosing and treating conditions of the foot and lower limb. What work does a podiatrist do? Patient consultation and treatment of conditions such as corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, wounds, foot pain, flat foot, high arched feet and knee, hip and lower back pain from gait abnormalities. What subjects do I need in high school to study podiatry? • Physical science: 50%; • Mathematics: 50%; • Life sciences: 50%; • English: 60%. One must complete a National Benchmark Test before admission. Which universities offer podiatry courses? Only one in South Africa currently – the University of Johannesburg. What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopaedic surgeon? Orthopaedic surgeons treat conditions surgically. A podiatrist's treatments are usually conservative. They only manage minor surgical procedures, such as removing nails. Do I first need to complete a medical degree to become a podiatrist? No, one does not need to complete a medical degree first. It is a four-year undergraduate degree. Are there scholarships or bursaries available for podiatry students? Yes, mainly offered by the Gauteng Department of Health. People who did not meet the requirements for a bursary can apply to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. ALSO READ: Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming a medical doctor What are the daily duties of a podiatrist? • Assess and diagnose foot, ankle, and lower limb conditions (flat feet, bunions, heel pain, ingrown toenails, diabetic foot issues); • Treat minor injuries and infections (fungal infections, corns, calluses, warts); • Prescribe orthotics (custom insoles) and footwear advice to support posture and correct gait issues; • Wound care, especially for high-risk patients (diabetics with ulcers or poor circulation); • Perform minor surgical procedures, such as nail avulsions (removing part or all of a toenail). Removing foreign bodies or cysts; • Refer patients to specialists when needed (example: vascular surgeons, dermatologists); If you work in the public sector, you are also responsible for administrative tasks, such as compiling statistics and preparing reports. At the district level, you might be required to provide services to community-based organisations and NGOs like crèches, old-age homes, and similar facilities. Can podiatrists perform surgery? Only minor surgical procedures, such as nail wedge resections and total nail avulsions. What are the working environments for podiatrists? They can work in public and private sectors, in: • hospitals; • clinics; • medical centres; • old-age homes. Companies: Primarily those with employees required to wear safety boots, such as in industrial, construction or manufacturing settings. ALSO READ: Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming an Adobe Illustrator What soft skills are important for a successful career? • Good communication skills; • Fine motor skills; • Microsoft (computer literate); • People skills (be kind and empathetic); • Active listening; • Critical thinking and problem-solving; • Attention to detail. What are the pros and cons of the job? Advantages: There are not many podiatrists out there, so you have opportunities to open your own business and make it a success. Disadvantages: It is a growing profession that not everyone is aware of, so there must be much marketing when opening a practice. What advice would you give to someone aspiring to follow in your footsteps? You need to love it to do it.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Watch: Vanderbijlpark teen plays guitar 10 days after breaking neck in rugby match
Barely 10 days after breaking his neck in a rugby match, 17-year-old Francois Kruger from Vanderbijlpark is on his feet and playing guitar. On August 2, Francois broke his neck in a tackle during a third-team match for Hoërskool Transvalia against Hoërskool Nelspruit. According to Prof Adrian Kelly, the specialist who handled his emergency surgery, it's a miracle that Francois is alive and walking after the freak accident. Francois has recovered speedily. Initially, he had only 30% use of his right arm, but now he's strumming his guitar as if nothing happened. According to his parents, Carel and Liana, they won't know the way forward for another six weeks. 'He will undergo another MRI scan, after which the doctor will explain the path ahead. Next week, he'll start sleeping in a soft neck brace,' Liana told Vaalweekblad. Watch as he plays the guitar:
The Citizen
09-08-2025
- The Citizen
Gauteng launches 6-week measles-rubella drive amid rising cases
The Gauteng Department of Health aims to vaccinate over four million children aged from six months to under 15 years. The department officially launched its province-wide Mass Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccination Campaign at Steve Biko Primary School in Orange Farm, Johannesburg, on Tuesday. Pretoria Rekord reports that the campaign will run for six weeks, from August 4 to September 12. While the campaign covers all five districts in Gauteng, Tshwane remains one of the key focus areas due to its high number of confirmed measles cases and identified hotspot zones. The move is a direct response to the ongoing measles outbreak in the province, which has seen a surge in cases since the beginning of the year. Speaking at the launch, the Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to containing the outbreak. 'The MR vaccine is safe, free and effective in protecting children from severe illness. We urge all parents and guardians to sign consent forms and ensure their children are vaccinated,' she said. Addressing the need for accurate health information, Nkomo-Ralehoko added: 'We also encourage communities to verify health information through official sources, and avoid misinformation circulating on social media.' The significance of the campaign is visible in Tshwane, where the outbreak has continued along a concerning trajectory. According to the Department of Health, 370 laboratory-confirmed measles cases were reported throughout the province between January 1 and June 30. Many of these originated from Tshwane, particularly in hotspot areas such as Mamelodi and Winterveldt. In June, Motalatale Modiba, the department's spokesperson, highlighted the urgency of targeted interventions in hotspots. This localised approach is being strengthened under the current campaign. Despite these efforts, the immunisation coverage in Tshwane remains worryingly low, said Modiba. He emphasised the second-dose coverage for measles sits below 75%, well under the 95% threshold required to prevent outbreaks. Modiba explained that this shortfall has made communities vulnerable not only to recurring infections but also to infections among vaccinated individuals and adults. This is something not typically seen when herd immunity is achieved. The department will closely monitor vaccination uptake across all districts and provide regular updates on progress with the current campaign. The target is to achieve at least 95% coverage across the province, with Tshwane expected to make significant gains due to the focused attention it is receiving. As part of the campaign launch, learners at Steve Biko Primary School were vaccinated on-site, showcasing how quickly the teams are moving to roll out services. Parents and guardians are encouraged by Nkomo-Ralehoko to ensure their children are available for vaccination when school health teams visit. Consent forms must be signed and returned to schools promptly to avoid delays. The department also reminded the public that MR vaccines are available at all public health facilities during the campaign, and are offered free of charge. The campaign is streamlined with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases' (NICD) policies. The NICD urged provinces in June to strengthen measles surveillance and conduct risk assessments for transmission, while implementing public health responses to current outbreaks. The institute also advised that public awareness must be increased in communities to highlight the ongoing outbreak and encourage parents to vaccinate their children. According to the NICD, missed routine measles doses should be caught up to prevent serious complications, including pneumonia, ear infections, diarrhoea, encephalitis and even death. Clinicians are advised to report suspected cases, collect blood specimens for lab confirmation, and log all cases through the Notifiable Medical Conditions surveillance system of the NICD. The institute also recommends reinforcing routine immunisation services. It said that districts with high incidence rates, such as Tshwane and Johannesburg, should be prioritised. The institute also encourages efforts focusing on tackling vaccine hesitancy and improving reporting of measles symptoms. Continued environmental monitoring, including wastewater surveillance, remains essential to track transmission trends and adjust response measures effectively. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
