This vital intervention will ensure continued access to breast cancer screening services while the hospital's mammography unit undergoes a major upgrade, says PinkDrive.

With its fixed mammography unit temporarily offline, PinkDrive will deploy its state-of-the-art Mobile Women's Health Unit to offer on-site mammograms for hospital-referred patients. This public-private partnership ensures there is no disruption in care, preventing delays in diagnosis and treatment for hundreds of women, adds PinkDrive.

"Cancer doesn't wait, and neither should access to screening," says Noelene Kotschan, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of PinkDrive NPC. "We are deeply grateful to Life Healthcare for once again stepping forward to help us bridge a critical gap in services. Their support ensures that women at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital receive timely, professional screening when they need it most."

In a healthcare landscape where backlogs and limited access to diagnostic equipment contribute to late-stage cancer diagnoses, this partnership delivers a critical safety net. It underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to protect vulnerable patients and maintain continuity of essential health services, says PinkDrive.

"As a leading healthcare provider, we are committed to improving cancer outcomes in South Africa," says Adam Pyle, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Life Healthcare. "Through our partnership with PinkDrive NPC, we are helping ensure that more South Africans, particularly those in the public system, benefit from early detection, which is vital to saving lives."

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers among women in South Africa. Early detection through mammography can dramatically improve survival rates. This temporary intervention, while the hospital upgrades its infrastructure, is a testament to the impact of private sector support in strengthening public health systems, concludes PinkDrive.

For more information, visit www.pinkdrive.org. You can also follow PinkDrive on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor