Historic equipment failures and ongoing staff shortages have placed immense pressure on MRI services in Gauteng’s public hospitals.
The province has only eight MRI machines spread across seven hospitals to serve an estimated 12.5 million people who rely on the public healthcare system.
As a result, more than 3,500 patients are currently awaiting MRI scans, underscoring a severe diagnostic backlog and the strain on Gauteng’s already overburdened health infrastructure.
An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body’s internal structures. It plays a critical role in diagnosing and treating tumours, injuries, neurological conditions, and infections.
According to Gauteng DA Health spokesperson Jack Bloom, the most severely affected facility is Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, where 2,347 patients have been waiting up to 12 months for an MRI scan.
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“The backlog arose because the sole MRI machine broke down seven times last year, and it was only replaced on 31 March this year,” Bloom says.
Other hospitals with significant MRI backlogs include:
- Dr George Mukhari Hospital – 450 patients
- Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital – 230 patients
- Steve Biko Academic Hospital – 200 patients
- Helen Joseph Hospital – 160 patients
Bloom says the growing waiting lists raise serious concerns about delays in diagnosis and treatment, particularly for time-sensitive conditions such as cancer and neurological disorders.
He says the situation highlights the urgent need for investment in equipment maintenance, adequate staffing, and improved hospital infrastructure to ensure timely access to critical diagnostic services.
Hospitals overburdened
Bloom says that, ideally, large hospitals, such as Leratong, Far East Rand, Sebokeng, Thelle Mogoerane, Mamelodi, Tambo Memorial, and Edenvale, should be equipped with MRI machines.
“Unfortunately, patients from these hospitals are referred elsewhere for MRI scans, which causes significant delays as the receiving hospitals are already overburdened with their patients,” Bloom says.
Gauteng Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba says that MRI machines are primarily located in academic and tertiary hospitals.
These include Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, as well as Tembisa, Helen Joseph, Kalafong, and Rahima Moosa Mother and Child hospitals.
“Regional and district hospitals do not have MRI machines due to the level of care they provide. The department operates on a referral-based model, where patients requiring MRI scans are referred to central and tertiary facilities,” Modiba says.
He adds that hospitals such as Steve Biko and Dr George Mukhari offer same-day MRI services for emergencies, while inpatient scans are typically done within a week.
Improving MRI services
Modiba says the department is working to modernise and strengthen MRI capacity across public health facilities in response to growing demand and to improve patient care.
“There has been increasing pressure on MRI services, and upgrading these machines will enhance diagnostic imaging capacity,” he says.
New MRI machines have already been installed at key academic hospitals, including Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
“The department has implemented service level agreements to ensure prompt resolution of technical faults and to minimise machine downtime. All four central hospitals in the province, Chris Hani Baragwanath, Dr George Mukhari, Charlotte Maxeke, and Steve Biko now have operational MRI machines,” Modiba says.
Modiba says the department is committed to providing equitable access to diagnostic services across all regions and will maintain transparent communication with the public regarding service availability and improvements. – Health-e News
