Rob Ferreira hospital will now treat cancer patients

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Rob Ferreira hospital will now treat cancer patients
The Rob Ferreira hospital in Mbombela will now have an oncology unit. PICTURE BY Caxton.

Close to a billion rand was pumped in to upgrade the existing the provincial hospital.


One of Mpumalanga’s largest hospitals, Rob Ferreira, is set to become the first hospital in the province to treat cancer. 

Upgraded before the 2010 World Cup, the tertiary hospital situated in Mbombela currently specialises in eye care, medical care for the old, childbirth, rehabilitation and surgery. 

Both Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane and health MEC Sasekani Manzini will next week (27 Aug) launch the cancer treatment service at the hospital. 

Spokesman Dumisani Malamule said the health department “identified a need for an oncology treatment centre that will offer chemotherapy services” at the hospital.

ALSO SEE: Millions set aside to renovate falling Mpumalanga hospitals

He said the need for the cancer treatment comes as a result of Mpumalanga patients finding themselves forced to travel long distance to Gauteng in order to be treated at the Steve Biko academic hospital in Tshwane.

“The launch will mark the beginning of the end of suffering to the majority of cancer patients who used to travel long distance to Steve Biko academic hospital in Gauteng, which is more than 300km away to get oncology services,” said Malamulele in a statement.

Mtshweni-Tsipane and Manzini are expected to arrive at the hospital at 9 in the morning to officially open the cancer center. 

(edited by MLM) 

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