The future of Australia’s first proton therapy unit is under a cloud after the South Australian government abandoned a contract to buy the machine, amid fears it wouldn’t be delivered.
The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) has officially terminated its agreement with ProTom International, the American supplier of the cancer therapy unit, following months of negotiations and concerns about the delivery of the equipment.
More than $50 million in Commonwealth grants have already been paid to ProTom International and its suppliers.
A further $500 million of taxpayer money was also spent building the Bragg Centre on North Terrace, which has a bunker, tailored specifically for ProTom’s machine.
“(We are) trying to determine how much of that is recoverable whether that’s in terms of money or goods that have been manufactured to date,” SA Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said.
The decision to abandon the project has raised concerns about the future of proton therapy in Australia, a cancer treatment option currently unavailable in the country.
Proton therapy holds immense potential, as demonstrated by Mitcham mother Monique Thompson’s experience.
Her daughter Sophia successfully underwent treatment in the United States for cancer in her spine.
“There’s no words to put against having your child here when you find yourself they’ve got a life-threatening condition,” Monique said.
Even if it’s determined a new machine can go in the North Terrace bunker, more taxpayer money will be needed.
The project would also be back out to tender, meaning any treatments would still be years away.
This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.
