Despite their statuses as oil-bearing and food basket region, the south-south states lack functional government-owned radiotherapy machines, as cancer patients travel miles to access major treatment options. LARA ADEJORO reports
The 34-year-old mother-of-one was devastated when she was told that the nearest state to get the radiotherapy treatment was either Lagos or Imo. “I had expected to be referred to the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital, but instead, I was told that the nearest place was Lagos or Imo. Looking at my condition, I was in serious pain and on wheelchair and if I must go anywhere, I must go in a private vehicle,” Ugorji said.
According to her, there were other patients from Rivers State who also came for the same treatment at the cancer centre. “I did my biopsy and chemotherapy at UPTH and the doctor suggested that I travel to Lagos for my radiotherapy. “I spent about N800,000 for the treatment, including the consultation fee and the tests I ran,” Nwogu said.