Ms Atuhirwe Carol was first diagnosed with cancer of the throat (larynx) in 2011 but later developed lung cancer, which she has been battling for the last five years.
Her condition came to the public eye after a social media drive that was initiated running under the slogan ‘SaveCarol’. This was intended to raise funds to enable Carol undergo intensive medical examination in the USA.
According to Mr Kyamutetera, the coordinator of the ‘SaveCarol Campaign’, she has so far undergone more than 30 surgeries and the several chemotherapy sessions have caused severe burns and a broken esophagus.
The money was raised however, heartbreaking reports have been circulating media that she is not going for the medical treatment in USA due ot ‘sabotage’ from authorities in the health sector.
The ministry has however released a press statement concerning this information.
The Ministry of Health would like to clarify to the public about the case of Ms. Carol Atuhairwe. We have neither refused nor delayed approval of any paperwork for the said patient and to-date, the Medical Board has not received any documents to this effect.
Information from the Cancer Institute where Carol has been receiving treatment for the last two years indicates that a multidisciplinary team of Uganda Cancer Institute met with visiting surgeons from USA and concluded that her condition requires close care as it is very delicate and this can be currently handled by the Uganda Cancer Institute.
Since the initial medical team from USA can no longer carry out surgery on Carol, the Institute is working on finding an alternative international health facility to handle her case. Once this is secured, her request for referral will then be generated and forwarded to the Medical Board.
Government remains committed to support Carol in a timely manner especially if need for any approval arises.
We appeal to the public to avoid spreading any misleading information.
#SaveCarol
editor@ugchristiannews.com
