A cancer patient, admitted at the Papua New Guinea Cancer Unit at Angau Hospital, is calling on the National Health Department to get a new cancer treatment machine, or bring in experts to fix it the current one.
John Maifi has undergone 18 radiotherapy treatments, but was not able to continue his treatment program as the radiation machine has stopped working.
Maifi is appealing to the National Government to look into the situation which patients are facing, and to assist them immediately.
John Maifi has been in the ward for about six months since he was referred from Port Moresby, to Angau’s Cancer unit.
He said he, and the other patients, are waiting to undergo radiotherapy treatment but were told the radiation machine was not functioning.
It has been three weeks since the machine stopped working.
Last Thursday, a husband of another patient raised similar concerns to the government.
Allan Koni, and his wife were referred from Mendi hospital to Lae’s cancer unit.
His wife had 17 more radiotherapy sessions to go. But was told to wait until the machine is fixed.
Angau’s CEO Dr. Christopher Kenyhercz, in a media release issued last week said the cancer treatment centre comes under the National Department of Health.
Therefore, the department is responsible in making sure the machine is fully operational and functional in serving the needs of its patients.
Angau Hospital is closely supporting the unit in its efforts to ensure all patients and cases are treated.
Dr. Kenyhercz said the cancer centre will receive a new CT scanner and a mammography unit which will improve diagnostic abilities.
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