Faulty equipment, 600 women with tumors did not receive radiotherapy treatment in 2022

2023-08-29 12:57:00, Aktualitet CNA

Faulty equipment, 600 women with tumors did not receive radiotherapy treatment

Defective medical equipment and lack of medications are affecting the lives of thousands of cancer patients in our country.

A report by the High State Control that focused on monitoring this service during 2022 found major defects in the way public hospitals treat the disease.

Among other things, KLSH pointed out that the oncologists of the radiotherapy unit refer that not all patients are treated with Brachytherapy, but in most cases almost 200 patients per year should be treated through this equipment with radiotherapy.

Treatment with Brachytherapy (Kyritherapy) has not been functional, for the period under audit, due to the lack of radioactive iridium source.

This device has not yet become operational, for the service and treatment of gynecological cancer patients with radiotherapy. The lack of Bronchitherapy, for the audit period, has led to the non-treatment of 200 patients per year or 600 women patients did not receive this service with radiotherapy, constituting a risk factor for their health.

The request for placing and making the Bronchitherapy device functional has been and is a priority of the Oncology Service, which has continuously addressed the General Directorate of QSUNT for its provision.

The other medical device that is not functional from 02.11.2022 is Orthovoltage, due to a serious defect that does not allow the treatment of patients suffering from skin tumors (Melanoma) (basal and squamous cell carcinomas, malignant lentigo, Kaposi's sarcoma, T-cell lymphomas, Merkel cell carcinoma, sweat gland tumors, lip tumor, etc.)

The lack of the Orthovoltage device since 02.11.2022 has resulted in the non-treatment of 200 patients who have not received this service with radiotherapy, constituting a risk factor for their health. From PAI - Oncology Hospital, the concern has been constantly presented to the DP of QSUNT, that the Orthovoltage device has been amortized since 2020, with the reasoning that "The Orthovoltage device in the Radiotherapy Unit was installed in 2002.

This device has been used for the treatment of superficial skin tumors for 20 years. The aluminum filters are oxidized, the device head does not stay in a fixed state during the treatment due to damage to the brakes that keep the head stationary, and as a result, the uncontrolled movement of the head during the treatment process does not give the right result and accuracy. of treatment.

This device has been maintenance-free for 7-8 years, which has had a significant impact on performance and quality, notes KLSH. According to the international recommendations of the UN and the IAEA, the lifespan of an apparatus in Radiotherapy should be 10-15 years./Revista Monitor