Cancer machine switched off

The new Cobalt 60 radiotherapy cancer machine at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) will be switched off for servicing this Friday.

Technicians from the manufacturer of the machine are expected to jet into the country to service the machine.

Since last week, the machine is said to have scaled down its operations on the number of patients treated in preparations for servicing.

The machine was imported in the country last year and installed in November, following the breakdown of the old one.

Dr. Kavuma Awusi, a senior medical physicist at the radiotherapy department at UCI, said the machine is to resume normal operations on June 11^th (Monday) after full scale servicing.

"The machine is still working, but we have reduced on the number of patients we handle. The radioactive source is still high and it is why we scaled down the operations; so that the technician finds it low for easy servicing," he explained.

He explained that the machine, according to the guidance from the manufacturer is supposed to be serviced every after six months.

"On Friday, it will be full servicing and there will be no services from this machine. But we shall be treating our patients using the internal radiotherapy machines and giving other treatments. So patients should not be worried," Awusi explained.

Not broken down
Addressing the journalists at Uganda Media Centre, the Ag. Director General Health Services Ministry of Heath, Dr. Henry Mwebesa refuted media reports that the machine had broken.

Mwebesa said the machine had to be scaled down in preparations for its first periodic servicing, which is supposed to be done every after six months.

"The Machine is still under warranty; therefore, servicing is done for free by the manufacturer," he said.

He also dismissed allegations that patients were being charged. Some media reports allege that patients were being charged sh5,000 as consultation fees, and between sh300,000 and sh500,000 to book for treatment.

"There are reports that patients are charged at UCI. Those patients who have been charged should come to the ministry and we take action," Mwebesa added.

Efforts to reach UCI's Executive Director, Jackson Orem and the institute's publicist Christine Namulindwa were in vain as their known numbers were switched off.

When we contacted Dr. Awusi, he declined to say anything about the allegations of charging patients, and referred New Vision to Namulindwa.