Equipment breakdown adds to cancer patients’ suffering

RADIOTHERAPY equipment at the AB May Cancer Care Centre in Windhoek has been inoperative since last month, The Namibian has established.

The radiation machine, known as the cobalt-60, and the high-voltage X-ray machine (HVX), used for the treatment of skin cancers and superficial lesions, are out of order. As a result, cancer patients in need of radiotherapy have either received inadequate treatment, such as painkillers, or been referred to South Africa.Spokesperson for the Windhoek Central Hospital Cornelius Weyulu said two weeks ago that the Ministry of Health was sending four patients to Cape Town for treatment.By yesterday, the patients were still in Windhoek.Sources said this would cost about N$30 000 per patient while another 12 private patients have also been referred to South Africa.Weyulu said the Ministry had ordered parts for the malfunctioning equipment from Canada, which are expected to arrive in the first half of this month.The Namibian has established that the parts are in South Africa and that plans are afoot to transport them to Namibia.Weyulu said a technician would come from South Africa to repair the machines.He said 20 patients were affected by the machines’ breakdown but sources put them at double that number.”Those with pain are being managed with painkillers and those who can benefit from chemotherapy are receiving such treatment,” Weyulu said.He felt the problem could be prevented through awarding a tender to a company that would maintain the equipment.Latest available statistics show that cancer cases in Namibia are on the increase, mainly due to the prevalence of HIV-AIDS.This is not the first time the cancer unit’s radiotherapy division has run into trouble.In 2001 it faced a serious staff shortage after three of its six employees resigned.At one stage, the division was forced to reduce its daily patient intake because of a shortage of radiographers.Sources said the radiographers took X-rays of 30 to 40 people a week.More staff have since been recruited from other countries in the region.It is also not the first time that the cobalt-60 and the high-voltage X-ray machine have broken down.Those problems prompted the Cancer Association of Namibia to urge the Health Ministry to privatise the radiotherapy division.”They should privatise the division to improve efficiency.This is in the interest of Namibians, then our patients will not have to pay more money by travelling to South Africa for treatment,” the association’s director, Kurt Johannesson, said.He said Namibian patients had to cough up twice as much when they were treated in South Africa.Despite these comments, the division remains firmly in public hands.As a result, cancer patients in need of radiotherapy have either received inadequate treatment, such as painkillers, or been referred to South Africa. Spokesperson for the Windhoek Central Hospital Cornelius Weyulu said two weeks ago that the Ministry of Health was sending four patients to Cape Town for treatment. By yesterday, the patients were still in Windhoek. Sources said this would cost about N$30 000 per patient while another 12 private patients have also been referred to South Africa. Weyulu said the Ministry had ordered parts for the malfunctioning equipment from Canada, which are expected to arrive in the first half of this month. The Namibian has established that the parts are in South Africa and that plans are afoot to transport them to Namibia. Weyulu said a technician would come from South Africa to repair the machines. He said 20 patients were affected by the machines’ breakdown but sources put them at double that number. “Those with pain are being managed with painkillers and those who can benefit from chemotherapy are receiving such treatment,” Weyulu said. He felt the problem could be prevented through awarding a tender to a company that would maintain the equipment. Latest available statistics show that cancer cases in Namibia are on the increase, mainly due to the prevalence of HIV-AIDS. This is not the first time the cancer unit’s radiotherapy division has run into trouble. In 2001 it faced a serious staff shortage after three of its six employees resigned. At one stage, the division was forced to reduce its daily patient intake because of a shortage of radiographers. Sources said the radiographers took X-rays of 30 to 40 people a week. More staff have since been recruited from other countries in the region. It is also not the first time that the cobalt-60 and the high-voltage X-ray machine have broken down. Those problems prompted the Cancer Association of Namibia to urge the Health Ministry to privatise the radiotherapy division. “They should privatise the division to improve efficiency. This is in the interest of Namibians, then our patients will not have to pay more money by travelling to South Africa for treatment,” the association’s director, Kurt Johannesson, said. He said Namibian patients had to cough up twice as much when they were treated in South Africa. Despite these comments, the division remains firmly in public hands.