Fiji could reduce the number of cancer deaths if Government invests in a radiation therapy machine and a TAT (Thermoacoustic Tomography) scanner, says a senior surgeon.
This was revealed during the Fiji Oncology conference held at the Holiday Inn last week, prompting a plea from Colonial War Memorial Hospital chief surgeon Dr Josese Turagava for Government, even if it had some funding, to install these machines.
“We have been talking about breast cancer in Fiji for over 20 years and other cancers, but what we lack in Fiji are radiotherapy and tap scanner machines for treatment,” he said.
“We had experts in the room who explained very well about these issues, and we know that these machines improve diagnosis of patients.
“If Government can spend a little bit more on these machines, we can save about 20 to 30 per cent of cancer patients.”
Dr Turagava said a lot of people have died from cancer.
“If these machines were in Fiji, cancer could be detected early among patients, avoiding a late stage detection,” he said.
“We have screening available but those who can afford it through insurance have it done early, giving them a step ahead of others.
“We understand our Government can only do so much when it comes to funding patients’ trips overseas for treatment so we have to pick and choose what’s beneficial as we can’t afford to send everybody.”
Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa said they have engaged a private investor who will install and fund the radiotherapy machines at a local hospital.
