Thousands of cancers patients in northern Uganda will continue go without early vital diagnosis and chemotherapy treatment since the only cancer department in the region has remained closed for nearly 10 years, with patients having to travel all the way to Mulago National Referral Hospital for treatment, medical expert have observed. 

Dr. Cyprian Opira, the Executive Director of St Mary Hospital Lacor wants to see cancer institute re-opened soon, but is doubtful donor will soon come forward to fund the running of the unit at the hospital.

Dr. Opira said during an interview that St Mary Hospital Lacor closed the cancer unit 10 year ago because of financial constraints, and he is unable to pinpoint exactly when it will re-open, since the hospital has seen a cut in its funding from organisations such as the Dr. Corti Foundation due to the global financial meltdown.

“In Lacor hospital we used to have three departments for treating cancer, namely Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy. Radiotherapy has now been closed since the year 2000, it very expensive to run without resources.” Dr. Opira said. 

“At the moment we have to diagnose different cancers, but we have to refer it to Mulago National Referral Hospital for treatment,” Dr. Opira added. 

He said that even then most patients don’t have the money, transport, lodging in Kampala and money for upkeep so in the end, they end up not going, and die quietly in their homes. 

He said in the long run, the need to have a comprehensive treatment cancer centre in northern Uganda, cannot be avoided: “We need government intervention in the fight against cancer, otherwise the situation is bad,” Dr. Opira said. 

Lacor provides both diagnostic and interventional services; the routine diagnostic procedure includes X rays and ultrasound examinations.