Ministry of Health has refuted allegations that the Cobalt-60 Radiotherapy machine is not functional. According to report by a local publication, it was alleged that cancer patients were left stranded after the machine broke down.
However, while addressing the press, Ag.Director General Health Services,Dr. Henry Mwebesa called upon the public to disregard the rumours.
“With guidance from manufacturer,operations of the machine have been scaled down in preparation for its first periodic servicing scheduled for next week. We would like to inform the public that the Cobalt-60 Radiotherapy machine has not broken down and is fully functional”, he stated.
He explained the operations of the machine has been scaled down to allow servicing.
“Servicing of the Radiotherapy machine at Uganda Cancer Institute will take place from Friday 8 June to Sunday 10 June,2018. Normal full capacity operation of Radiotherapy services will resume on Monday 11 June 2018”, he stated.
The long stalled Radiotherapy services resumed in November 2017 at Uganda Cancer Institute. According to Dr. Mwebesa, the number of patients treated per day increased from 10 patients upon re-establishment of service in November and December 2017 to 150 patients per day by end March 2018.
