CAIRO - Pain, patience and hope are a unique blend shared by cancer patients whose treatment is very consuming in terms of money and time. The spread of the killer disease has forced thousands to seek treatment according to their financial capability. The National Cancer Institute, which was established in l968 to combine treatment and scientific research, is the main refuge for tumour patients who cannot afford expensive private treatment. As such, the Institute has a long waiting list of patients from all over the country who come to the centre hoping to find treatment for their terrible pain. Although there are eight cancer treatment centres across the nation, the one in Cairo is the largest and best equipped. According to the institute's records, some l80,000 cases are followed up annually, in addition to an estimated 20,000 potential new patients each year. Despite the trust in the institute and the heavy task it assumes, its annual budget is as low as LE 40 million at a time when the actual expenditure on treatment has risen to LE l20 million, says professor Alaa el-Hadad, the Dean of the Institute. For this reason the Institute relies to a great extent on donations especially in seasons like the fasting month of Ramadan, in which manifestations of benevolence and charitable acts are usually at their best. Up until January last year, the facility comprised three premises, the southern, northern and central buildings, of which the former had an accommodation capacity of 380 beds, in addition to six operating theatres and outpatient clinics. The southern building had, however, to be evacuated 20 months ago when serious cracks were found putting the lives of patients at stake. Since that date, the medical staff as well as the patients are living through extremely hard times trying to find places in other government-run hospitals as well as upgrading the capacity and potential of the other two buildings. The costs of the building reconstruction is estimated at LE l20 million of which Cairo University will contribute LE 25 million and the rest will again be provided by means of charitable contributions, as el-Hadad told Al-Wafd Arabic newspaper. According to the set schedule the building will be ready to receive patients next summer, that is if the donated funds meet the requirements. “It is no secret that we as the staff and administration are suffering in covering the deficiency after losing about 50 per cent of the institute's capacity.” said el-Hadad, hoping that charitable people would realise how important their donations are in completing the restorations as scheduled. Concerning the cost of treatment, el-Hadad pointed out that it differs from one cancer case to another, for instance spine stem transplant cases need from LE 70,000 to 80,000 per month. The fast-paced emergence of more effective cancer treatment methods and drugs prompts the medical staff to try whatever accredited treatment is available to relieve pain. In order to continue offering treatment free of charge, the National Tumour Institute is in need of LE 80 million in donations, which are not only expended on treatment but also on equipment and hospitalisation. While, 80 per cent of those admitted accordingly enjoy free medication the remaining 20 per cent are treated at state expense.
