Icon Oncology Upgrades Sandton Oncology Centre
Icon Oncology Upgrades Sandton Oncology Centre. Icon Oncology, the leading cancer care provider in the country, recently marked the installation of a state-of-the-art linear accelerator (Linac) at its radiation therapy unit in Sandton. This milestone brings renewed hope to people living in the Sandton catchment who area facing cancer, as it expands the capacity to provide essential, life-saving treatment.
The official unveiling of the Elekta Harmony Pro machine was attended by oncologists, referring specialists, and business leaders from both Icon Oncology and Elekta. This is also the first installation of a Harmony Pro in the sub-Saharan Africa, and will help oncologists to extend their reach, enabling the treatment of a greater number of patients with advanced tools.
This development further elevates the standard of care available at the Sandton Oncology Centre, which now boasts two Elekta-quipped radiotherapy bunkers. Radiotherapy is a critically needed treatment modality in Gauteng and the unit can now comfortably treat more than 60 patients a day.
Dr Ernst Marais, chief operating officer of Icon Oncology, emphasises that the cancer burden in South Africa is on the rise, stating: “Our data consistently reveals a notable year-on-year increase in new cancer cases within the country. In 2023 we saw an increase of close to 9% in the number of patients we treated compared to the previous year. This ongoing challenge places a substantial strain on our healthcare system. At Icon Oncology we are actively tackling this burden, committing to providing quality equipment and expertise to the regions that are most in need.”
Mersha Mahomet, commercial director, South Africa of Elekta, highlights the strategic importance of the partnership: “Our partnership with Icon Oncology signifies more than collaboration, it symbolises a strategic alignment of capabilities, resources and values. Together we are poised to drive clinical quality, foster innovation, and ultimately achieve better outcomes for cancer patients. Together our service ensures that we deliver nothing short of excellence to our patients.”
“Our mission is to provide access to life-saving cancer treatments, driving our ongoing nationwide expansion of linac technology. In line with our growth strategy for Gauteng, we look forward to expanding our footprint of facilities and equipment in 2024,” concludes Dr Marais.
