COVID-19: Delayed treatment puts cancer patients at risk

Apr 07, 2020

As COVID-19 ravages nations, cancer patients are among the most vulnerable groups as their immunity is already compromised from the condition and treatment they are going through.

COVID-19 | CANCER

KAMPALA - Cancer patients are at risk of cancer recurrence and becoming more resistant to treatment if treatment is delayed, following the ban on public and private transport, the Uganda Cancer Society (UCS) says.

In Uganda, the transport was banned for two weeks in a bid to avert the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic that has infected 52 people in Uganda.

Only vehicles for essential staff, like the media, medical personnel, utilities are allowed to move.

This has left thousands of cancer patients in need of chemotherapy, scans, and transplants among others unable to access services.

According to the statement issued on April 6, by Paul Ebusu, the UCS Executive Director, cancer patients need special attention to support them cope during this period of COVID-19.

Ebusu notes that cancer patients are facing a lot of challenges in accessing treatment from Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) including the fact that movement to the treatment facility is hindered given the current COVID-19 crisis and the transport guidelines by the government.

He appeals to the government and ministry of health to strongly consider issuing vehicle stickers to organizations providing hostel and palliative care to cancer patients and also be considered for food distribution.

"These cancer patient hostels and hospices need to transport patients who have doctor's appointments to the treatment facility to receive their regular checkups and treatment or take medication to sick patients in their homes," Ebusu says.

He adds that cancer patient hostels and hospices be part of the priority list of targeted groups for food distribution as they care for patients who are very vulnerable and need a boosted or strong immunity at this time more than ever.

"RDCs at the district level should ensure that cancer patients at the districts are supported with transport to come to UCI for treatment," Ebusu says.

As COVID-19 ravages nations, cancer patients are among the most vulnerable groups as their immunity is already compromised from the condition and treatment they are going through.

According to the ICU, coronavirus poses a greater health risk to those with compromised immune systems, including cancer patients in treatment. For cancer patients, COVID-19 can be much more severe and more likely to be fatal.

"Increase supply for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to cancer treatment centers for cancer patients and their caregivers," Ebusu says.

Cancer and cancer treatment lower the body's ability to fight disease and because of this, people with cancer including children, cancer survivors, the elderly (above 60 years of age) and people with other serious chronic health conditions are at a higher risk of developing the severe form of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

"We appeal to cancer patients and their caregivers to avoid crowds, maintain social distance as directed by the government. Take all measures to avoid handshake and touching your, mouth, nose and eyes and maintain a safe distance from others as directed by government and ministry of health," Ebusu says.

The patients are also encouraged to maintain a healthy diet as they are already a vulnerable group and need, more than others, a boosted/strong immunity during this time of COVID-19.

UCS applauded the pragmatic steps taken by the Government of Uganda to safeguard the lives of Ugandans and all other persons currently in the country from the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

"We believe that if the entire country heeds to the directives by the president and guidelines issued by the Government through the national taskforce and Ministry of Health, we have a good chance of containing and not exacerbate the spread of COVID-19," Ebusu says.

He called upon, Ugandans to be patriotic and obey the guidelines.

"Your obedience will save lives of your loved ones, your community and the country at large. That obedience in itself is an act of patriotism and we applaud you for it," he says.

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