Limpopo Launches First PET/CT Scanner and LINAC to Transform Cancer Care
POLOKWANE – For thousands of cancer patients in Limpopo, the long and exhausting journey to receive specialised treatment could soon become a thing of the past.
The Limpopo Department of Health has officially launched the province’s first Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scanner and Linear Accelerator (LINAC) at Pietersburg Hospital in Polokwane. The milestone, unveiled on Monday by Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego, is expected to transform cancer diagnosis and treatment across the province.
The introduction of the two advanced machines marks a significant investment in specialised healthcare and offers renewed hope to patients who have, for years, been forced to travel to other provinces for critical oncology services.
The PET/CT scanner will allow doctors to detect cancer earlier and with greater accuracy while also monitoring how well patients respond to treatment. Early diagnosis often plays a crucial role in improving survival rates and helping doctors make faster, more informed treatment decisions.
Alongside it, the new Linear Accelerator will deliver highly targeted radiation therapy, focusing on cancer cells while reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The technology is expected to improve treatment precision and enhance the quality of care available to cancer patients in Limpopo.
Speaking during the official launch, MEC Dieketseng Mashego described the development as a major breakthrough for healthcare in the province.
“This milestone will reduce the need for patients to travel outside the province for specialised oncology services, shorten waiting times, improve treatment outcomes, and bring life saving care closer to the communities of Limpopo,” she said.
For many families, access to cancer treatment has often meant costly travel, extended periods away from home, and long waiting lists. Health officials believe the new equipment will ease that burden while ensuring patients receive timely care closer to where they live.
The Limpopo Department of Health said the investment reflects its commitment to strengthening specialised medical services and expanding access to modern healthcare across the province.
The department added that improving access to advanced diagnostic technology and precision cancer treatment remains a priority as it works towards delivering equitable, high quality healthcare for all residents.
The launch of the PET/CT scanner and Linear Accelerator represents more than the arrival of new medical equipment. It signals a major step forward in Limpopo’s ability to diagnose cancer earlier, treat patients more effectively, and provide world class oncology services within the province.
