Most of us have watched Gashumba’s posting. It is largely based on ignorance or innocence or both. Do we expect him to know the patient load at Uganda Cancer Institute(UCI)? Do we expect him to know that better diagnosis has increased the patient load?
The simple fact about population increase overwhelming most of the social service may have escaped his attention. Having doubted his capacity on these small matters, his observations are obviously challenging to a new uninitiated individual.
Right now the UCI is indeed strained just like any other service due to paucity of finances! The Drs are simply amazing! One needs to spend time working or interacting with them. One will appreciate their level of dedication and commitment.The current developments including the state-of-the -art diagnostic capacity is just about to be opened including the PET capacity.
By the way the six-storey building will probably have the best diagnostic capacity in the region once operational. The roll out of three regional cancer institutes, Mbale, Gulu, and soon Mbarara are a good valve to decongest the parent UCI.
Rome was not built in one day and I am sure Gashumba will get this one!
Lastly, we all know the late presentation of patients: most is stage 3,4. What would we expect? I think it is our duty as professionals to educate not only Gashumba but most Ugandans about the benefits of early diagnosis.
It is simply disingenuous and incomprehensible pretence for Gashumba to paint such a hopeless picture! Like “zero” work or effort is all that defines UCI and the NRM government.
Dr Warren Namara
Head of Health Monitoring Unit, State House