Doctors at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg have questioned a Gauteng Health Department decision to override their choice of MRI scanners for costlier Chinese equipment (Mamello Clinical Solutions) at R38.5m. – MedicalBrief (19 Feb 2026)
According to the hospital’s head of radiology and the acting clinical director, Solly Mokgoko, doctors prefer the Philips MRI scanner – at a cost of about R27.4m – on the grounds of “technological advancement, operational sustainability and clinical research potential”.
The doctors and the head of the hospital’s supply chain management committee have warned that the change could increase costs, downtime and clinical risk. The dispute comes amid mounting diagnostic backlogs at provincial hospitals, including about 2 600 cancer patients at Charlotte Maxeke.