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 Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject: Tanzanian Cancer Hospital Battles Odds to Save Lives |
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http://cancer.iaea.org/newsstory.asp?ft=4
21 June 2007
Tanzanian Cancer Hospital Battles Odds to Save Lives
When his two–year old son ‘Given’ was diagnosed with cancer, Tanzanian
farmer Frank Kamindu didn>t hesitate. He sold his two goats, borrowed
US$65 from a friend, and set off with his little boy on a 900 kilometer
bus journey to the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) in Dar es Salaam.
“I didn>t know much about cancer,” Frank recalls, holding his son close to
his side. “Just that it was something very bad, usually untreatable.”
Doctors at the regional hospital in Mbeya in south–eastern Tanzania, where
Frank first took Given, told him his only hope was to seek treatment for
his son at ORCI. They were right. It is the only specialist cancer
treatment and radiotherapy centre in this country of 37 million.
Built as a hospital under German colonial rule in the late 19th century,
the handsome white building on the Indian Ocean was designated a cancer
treatment centre by the Tanzanian government in 1996, with an annual
intake of less than 500 cases. Today, ORCI handles 3000 new cancer
patients and up to 10,000 follow–up cases a year, a massive workload for a
hospital with just 112 beds and 200 staff.
ORCI is Tanzania>s only provider of radiation therapy, a powerful tool for
both the curative and palliative treatment of cancer. In July 2006, the
IAEA provided the Institute with a Nordion Equinox 100 radiotherapy
machine capable of treating more than 1000 patients a year. A Nordion
Equinox 80 machine, provided by PACT, will become operational later this
year.
In recognition of ORCI>s pioneering role in cancer treatment and control,
Tanzania was chosen in 2005 as the first of six PACT Model Demonstration
Sites (PMDS). These are collaborative, interagency projects designed to
help developing countries strengthen all areas of comprehensive cancer
control.
Tanzania is facing a cancer crisis with some 35,000 new cases a year, but
ORCI can handle only a small part of this burden. Its waiting rooms are
packed, its radiotherapy machines work overtime and its wards sleep extra
patients on the floor. The overcrowding extends to the circular pavilion
on the hospital grounds where scores of patients' relatives have set up
temporary home. With little money and nowhere else to go, the open–sided
structure is their only shelter from the alternating heat and torrential
rain of the Tanzanian autumn.
The influx of patients is due to increased cancer awareness among
Tanzanians, explains Dr. Richard Lyimo, Chief of Clinical Services at
ORCI. But, tragically, the pattern of disease presentation has not
changed. “About 80% of patients still show up with advanced stage cancer
and can only be treated palliatively,” he says. “Still, the fact that more
people are coming to ORCI is a positive sign and should encourage all
concerned to accelerate efforts to fight cancer.”
Ultimately, Tanzania>s cancer crisis and ORCI>s workload can only be
alleviated through an effective National Cancer Control Plan, providing
cancer education, screening and treatment at regional centres across the
country. Efforts for this are already underway and a Steering Committee,
backed by PACT and its international partners, is now in place to drive
the agenda forward. ORCI, drawing on its vast experience as Tanzania>s
prime cancer care provider, is leading the way with training schemes and
outreach programmes.
Given Kamindu was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma (Rb), a cancer of the eye
usually afflicting young children. If caught in its early stages, Rb can
be cured in 90% of cases. But in many developing countries cancer
frequently isn>t diagnosed until far advanced, making it much harder to
treat. When he arrived at ORCI in early May, doctors found the cancer in
Given>s left eye had spread to surrounding tissue. The eye had to be
surgically removed before the two–year old could start radiotherapy to
destroy any remaining cancer cells.
“We>re pleased with the way he has responded to treatment,” says Dr. Fatma
Jaha, who is in charge of the noisy, over–crowded men>s ward where Given
shares a bed with his Dad. Still, he needs a second course of 10
radiotherapy sessions before the two can go home to Ibeta, a remote
village on the Tanzania–Malawi border.
Regional cancer centres will greatly improve patients' chances of early
detection and life–saving treatment. And they will spare people Frank
Kamindu>s ordeal. All of his money has gone, swallowed up on travelling
and living costs. And he fears the US$25 he left for his wife and two
other children is also exhausted by now. With no telephone network
covering their isolated area of Tanzania, the family has had no news of
Frank and Given since they left home in early May. “I have no way to get
information through to my wife. She must be desperate,” Frank worries.
But for now he takes heart from Given>s obvious improvement. Sitting on
the stoop outside the ward, Frank smiles as his son gulps down a milky
drink. “It>s more than I dared to hope for,” he says. Before his
treatment, Given was ailing. He was in pain and cried a lot. Now he eats,
he>s growing bigger, he plays with the other children. For Frank and
Given, the long journey to ORCI was worth all the hardships.
UPDATE:
November 2007: We at PACT make every effort to ensure that the content on
this website is accurate and up to date. From time to time, however, it is
necessary to revise the material to reflect latest developments or changed
circumstances.
Given Kamindu and his father, Frank, returned to ORCI in late August 2007
because the little boy>s right eye was inflamed and his vision severely
impaired. Doctors found that a tumour had developed in this, his remaining
eye. Sadly, bilateral retinoblastoma is a common occurrence, affecting
roughly one third of all children diagnosed with the disease. Given>s
right eye was removed in an operation at the Comprehensive Community-Based
Rehabilitation in Tanzania Hospital (CCBRT) in September. He then
underwent a full course of radiotherapy treatment at ORCI before returning
to his home. We will continue to provide regular updates of Given>s
condition on this website. |
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