On the road again: City Health’s mobile x-ray service

08 November 2024

The City of Cape Town’s Health Department has relaunched its mobile x-ray service which will now include area south. With the expansion of the unit’s geographical range, about 300 clients can be assisted each month.

The unit, which had undergone repairs in recent months, delivers a tuberculosis chest x-ray service across the city, including Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain, and is staffed by radiographers and a clerk.

‘It is fitting that the service is relaunched today, World Radiography Day, which marks the discovery of X-rays. This important development in medicine made it possible to identify a wide range of health issues and enhance healthcare. On this day we also honour the hard work of radiographers for their role in diagnosing and treating medical conditions,' said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.

TB staff book clients for chest x-rays on a weekly basis and the truck will visit the clinic where the patient is.

The X-ray unit is fully computerised and doctors are able to view x-ray images almost immediately via a specialised system.

This eliminates multiple trips to the clinic and treatment is able to start as soon as possible.

‘Many people have to travel to a clinic or take off work and the mobile service will save them these costs. The service resumed at the end of October and without the help of radiographic imaging many health issues, and especially TB, will go undetected. It’s a non-invasive tool that can save lives,’ said Councillor Van der Ross.