Lives of cancer patients of northern region at risks

Newly married Rikta Begum of Kisoreganj upazila in Nilphamari needs to take radiotherapy within one month for treating her throat cancer; otherwise, she might lose her life, fears doctors. So, either she has to go to Bogra or Dhaka for taking radiotherapy. But, she does not have the financial ability to go to Dhaka. On the other hand, she will have to wait for six to seven months in Bogra for getting an appointment. Abed Ali from Pirgachha, Afjal Hossain of Lalmonirhat and many other patients of the region admitted to the hospital like Rikta are at life risks for the same reason. Banomali Roy of Kaliganj upazila in Lalmonirhat came to the hospital to take radiotherapy, but had to return without taking the treatment. He has already lost all of his land property to meet up the treatment costs. Now, it is impossible for him to afford going Dhaka to take radiotherapy. Saraf Ali of Rangpur and Sahab Uddin of Dinajpur are also in same situation. Associate Professor Dr Swapan Kumar Nath, head of the radiotherapy department, said the radiotherapy machine of the hospital was purchased in 1997 and after four years it started to provide service. It went out of order in August last year, as since 2009, no servicing had done to it, he added. Now, if a new machine is not purchased immediately, many cancer patients might lose their lives, fears the doctor. Admitting the fact, RMCH Director Dr ASM Barkatalluh said a letter had been sent to Health Department in this regard. “Steps have been taken to buy a new radiotherapy machine, as the old one has gone out of order permanently,” he said.