Many of those affected by this pathology are asking for special medicines, which they are being denied despite the presentation of legal protection measures implemented in their defense, the Association of Cancer Patients denounced.
“I have colleagues who ask me about their medicine every day and when I tell them that there is still no news, they burst into tears,” lamented Juana Moreno, general secretary of this charity, quoted by ABC Color newspaper.
The healing of these patients is slowed down by a lack of adequate medication, which affects them emotionally while their loved ones do not know what to do or who to turn to, and many die waiting for a solution.
According to Moreno, the local justice system has issued around 50 legal protection orders directing the Department of Health to make drugs available to these patients, with no response to date.
Specialists insist that this sad situation, in addition to delaying or preventing treatment and chances of survival, worsens the mental health of the diseased women and men and affects their quality of life.
The Association of Cancer Patients even claims that drugs included in the basic list for the treatment of this pathology, such as enzalutamide and dacarbazine, are missing.
Moreno reiterated that it is unacceptable to continue this fight without an answer for human rights such as health and life, assuring that patients are already talking about possible violent measures, such as taking to the streets to demand the medicines.
Other cancer patients on March 17 before the executive branch denounced the lack of medicines and other supplies to treat their disease in public facilities, where they have long received inadequate treatment.
The authorities and specialists at the National Cancer Institute use private laboratories for certain studies due to a lack of reagents for specialist-led studies.
Another obstacle to tackling the disease, Moreno adds, is the high cost of ensuring effective treatments, which is why many sufferers are turning to public health officials.
According to media outlets such as ABC Color, some patients buy medicines with their own funds so as not to leave the health centers, where those who cannot pay are “rescheduled” for 15 or 20 days.
Patients are also staging some peaceful protests to demand the provision of medicines to continue their treatment, although authorities say it is “one of their priorities”.
jcm/apb