On Tuesday 29, November 2022, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, visited Uganda Cancer Institute to find steps for better treatment for cancer patients. Tayebwa believes that providing adequate funds and medical equipment will outsource skilled specialists.
“The biggest factor is funding, Once we fund the institute, and bring in all this machinery, our Ugandan experts suffering in winter will come back,” said Tayebwa.
The construction works on the US$13 million East African Centre of Excellence Research facility for cancer and the different phases of renovations at the facility happening at the moment, overwhelmed him with joy.
The deputy speaker also asserted that government will have a dialogue on the support to be given to the institute ahead of the budgeting process of the 2023/2024 financial year.
As many people are dying of cancer, It tempted the legislature and government to look at UCI as a helpful entity, Tayebwa assured that treatment and medication are free contrary to reports that allege that they are very high. He therefore said urged the authorities of the Uganda Cancer Institute to reduce the charges.
“I have confirmed today that the government has provided all the funding necessary to buy the medicine for cancer for the patients who come here [UCI]. Once they are treating you and managing you here, then they are able to give you free medicine,” Tayebwa said.
Prof. William Bazeyo, the Chairperson of the UCI Board, said that indeed with exception of the private wing, and cases of people who try to get their way through under-the-table services, treatment at the facility are free.
In conclusion therefore the deputy saying said that Parliament wants to ensure that the gap of lack of equipment and specialists is bridged will be a promising move in giving attention to the Uganda Cancer Institute.
