The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Jinja, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has concluded a two-week training in cancer screening and protection at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for 32 nurses in Busoga region.
While handing over certificates to the nurses, Dr. Noleb Mugisha, the head of the Comprehensive Community Cancer program, said many cancer patients fail to complete their doses due to high transport costs. The nurses were drawn from eleven districts that make up Busoga region.
“This region is known for oncological cancer cases, mainly cervical and breast cancers. If these trained health personnel can handle them within the region, then chances of those who lose the cancer battle due to failure in footing transport costs and other circumstances will be eliminated,” he said.
He explained that, “these health personnel will beef up the cancer fight at the grassroots and it will decongest UCI of minor cancer cases, which can be handled by our regional referral hospitals,” he said.
Lydia Mbwali, a nurse attached to Kiyunga health center IV asked UCI to provide them with the necessary equipment.
“We don’t want our skills to waste away. My humble prayer is that UCI should provide us with specialized equipment in handling these minor cancer cases, which I believe will make us productive in our communities,” she said.
Jackson Orem, the Executive Director Uganda Cancer Institute, said they have lobbied local governments to budget for cancer screening services.
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