Childhood Cancer Care
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Children suffering from cancers such as Burkitt’s Lymphoma, are entitled to free treatment at the Ugandan Cancer Institute (UCI) in Kampala with a good chance of complete recovery. But the cost of travel and accommodation for families from Soroti District is prohibitive, so few suffering children receive adequate care. Hospital Consultants recorded only one referral in a period of 2 years in the Soroti area, whilst research suggests there are likely to be 20 childhood cases per annum. It seems the children remain at home to die.
Thanks to the research and input of cancer expert Dr Jane Hanson from Cardiff, working with staff at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital and UCI, SaltPeter Trust have started a project to fund the costs for children and their parents to attend UCI. Currently 2 girls and a boy suffering from cancers have received regular chemotherapy treatment, and both are showing signs of real improvement. We are hoping that their parents will become ambassadors to guide more families to overcome their fears, understand free travel and treatment is now available, and take their suffering children to receive treatment to Kampala.