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Still no date for the only radiotherapy machine in Mozambique to be fixed or replaced
4:32 CAT | 12 Feb 2025
FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: Notícias]
- The only radiotherapy machine in the country is now out of order for almost a year
Maputo Central Hospital (HCM) still has no date for getting the country’s only radiotherapy machine back into operation. It has been out of order for almost a year. In other words, cancer patients will therefore continue to live in uncertainty and resort to alternative forms of treatment.
The last promise related to the radiotherapy machine, which broke down in March last year, was made by the former Minister of Health, Armindo Tiago, who said it would be repaired in the first week of December, but the machine has not so far been attended to and there is no deadline for it to be back in operation.
Partners from India
The clinical director of HCM, António Assis da Costa, acknowledges that the radiotherapy machine was a great hope for treating cancer, since many patients need to leave the country to receive treatment, There are, he said, difficulties in resolving the issue – but without revealing what exactly those are.
Mozambique: Minister promises to restore radiotherapy services this week – O País
“This breakdown is a major “Achilles heel”. We have been dealing with this issue for a few years. Hopefully, in the near future, don’t ask me for dates because I won’t give them, but our focus is on bringing in technicians from our partners to help us overcome the problem,” Dr da Costa says.
Da Costa says that everything is being done to resolve the problem, and that partners have already been found for the repair.
These partners are from India, one of the countries that receives the most Mozambicans for medical treatment.
When asked about the costs of repairing the machine, the interlocutor preferred not to answer, but revealed that HCM needs around five million meticais per year to maintain the equipment.
Doctor Amônio Assis da Costa however gave assurances that no patient was left untreated, even if with less effective alternative methods.
READ: Maputo Central Hospital opens radiotherapy unit
Treatment of non-communicable diseases: Radiotherapy services in Mozambique
HCM celebrates World Day of the Sick
The doctor was speaking on the sidelines of the celebrations of World Day of the Sick, in which patients and health professionals from Maputo Central Hospital gathered for a cross-denominational celebration.
With songs of joy and a liturgy with messages of hope, mass was celebrated by Archbishop of Maputo Dom João Carlo Aitoa, in honour of the sick and those who care for them.
“We invite all those who suffer and all those who care for the sick not to lose hope, which is a gift that makes us firm in the face of difficulties and nourishes the virtue we call the virtue of fortitude, which is very relevant today, as many people become discouraged in life and stop in the middle of the struggle. So, we cannot lose hope, which is a gift from God”, the archbishop said.
HCM sees an average of 950 patients per day, and the challenge, according to the clinical director, is to ensure humane and quality care.
The World Day of the Sick was instituted by Pope John Paul II as a way for the faithful to pray for those suffering from illness.
Source: O País
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