Overcrowding affects cancer treatment at QECH
Weak cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) have to sometimes sit on the veranda of Ward 2A with their drips because the ward has only four beds and doubles as a consultation room.
The Cancer Association of Malawi has since appealed for support to renovate the designated cancer ward, 4B.
Speaking at a press briefing at Johns Hopkins offices in Blantyre on Friday, the association said with a rising demand for cancer treatment in Malawi that sees about 50 and 70 patients each weekday and over 20 at the weekends, there is need to accommodate the patients in their own ward.
“The temporary space is overrun by life-threatening congestion; there are no isolation rooms, a requirement for patients with low immunity, due to cancer and chemotherapy treatment. We believe that a solid and dedicated cancer ward is an answer to better care for those that are affected,†reads part of the communiqué which was read by the association’s chairperson Chifundo Chogawana.
“We, therefore, strongly appeal to Malawians of goodwill to help us support this cause by making financial and material donations,†said Chogawana.
Ward 4B, which is currently undergoing renovation, will accommodate 22 patients.
