By OBAKENG MAJE
30 June 2025- The Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital in Rustenburg said the procurement of Digital Mammography X Ray Machine will accelerate the turnaround time of mammography results for patients. The Hospital’s Deputy Board Chairperson, Batsile Ramosepele, indicated that the procurement of this machine was as a result of improving access to care for patients, as they had to travel to Mahikeng Provincial Hospital to access this service.
Ramosepele further said the procurement of the Digital Mammography X Ray machine cost R7.5 million and was awarded in February 2025 to June 2025. She added that it took four months to complete the project.
“The Commissioning of Digital Mammography X Ray Machine on 25 June 2025, brought excitement to Hospital Management and Staff as patients will access the results within 72 hours. The sole purpose of this machine is to screen and diagnose breast changes, cancer calcification in patients both female and male.
“Through this machine, the hospital aims to attain increased cancer screening and further do biopsies for full investigations of the abnormalities,” said Ramosepele.
She further said the project also entailed staff kitchen, installation and training of staff members on how the machine operates. Ramosepele added that currently, the hospital boasts two qualified mammographers to operate this machine, as it is a prerequisite to have a qualification in mammography.
“Now, the hospital can detect tumors and do biopsies to confirm the nature of the tumors. We, as the Board, are delighted with this state-of-the-art unit commissioned today as it will improve the health of our people,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting CEO of Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital, Ellen Moromane shared the same sentiments. Moromane said this is a good milestone for them.
“We are ultimately getting there to provide tertiary services that patients deserve,” she concluded.
The Guardian 