Gauteng Cancer Patients Face Fatal Delays in Biopsies

Johannesburg – The treatment of numerous cancer patients in Gauteng is at risk due to significant delays in obtaining biopsies from the Johannesburg Anatomical Pathology Laboratory.

This alarming information was revealed on Thursday, 18 September 2025, by Dr. Jack Bloom, MPL and the Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health.

According to Dr. Bloom, cancer patients in Gauteng face life-threatening delays in biopsy results owing to the mismanagement and extensive staff shortages at the Johannesburg Anatomical Pathology Laboratory.

He pointed out that the lab is struggling with a staff exodus, mismanagement, and long waits for biopsy results.

Dr. Bloom disclosed that patients are waiting as long as three months for “urgent cancer biopsy results.”

He mentioned that the lab originally employed 19 pathologists, but as of now, only three remain, with 12,000 samples pending processing, some of which have been in the queue since last year.

To exacerbate the issue, five medical technologists have recently left their positions.

Dr. Bloom emphasized that this situation is preventing doctors from initiating treatment, severely diminishing patients’ chances of survival.

“The laboratory is overwhelmed with unprocessed reports and heaps of samples in buckets,” Dr. Bloom stated.

“Cases of suspected cancer should be prioritized; however, doctors now report waiting four to six weeks for biopsy results that previously took seven to ten days for breast lumps. Mastectomy results, which used to take three to four weeks, can now extend to three months.”

“Other biopsies for suspected prostate, skin, and organ cancers are also greatly affected.”

Dr. Bloom added that the lengthy waits for biopsy results create significant anxiety for patients, hindering survival chances due to delayed diagnoses.

“A large number of patients are impacted as this laboratory caters to hospitals and clinics throughout Johannesburg, the East and West Rand, and Vaal,” Dr. Bloom explained.

“North Gauteng benefits from a lab at Steve Biko Hospital, while Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital operates its own lab.”

The National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) manages this laboratory, which is directed by Dr. Reubina Wadee.

“The DA in Gauteng will urgently call on Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko to intervene immediately to expedite biopsy results and save patients’ lives,” Dr. Bloom concluded.

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Comments from the Gauteng Department of Health will be added as soon as possible.