Story Created:
Mar 16, 2013 at 10:58 PM ECT
Story Updated:
Mar 17, 2013 at 12:36 AM ECT
With increasing cases of people being diagnosed with prostate, breast, colon and other cancers in Tobago, efforts are being made to ensure patients are properly cared for and receive the best treatment possible.
Medical Chief of Staff Dr Nathaniel Duke told the Sunday Express that with the increasing costs of health care in the country, all the help necessary for the Oncology Unit in Tobago would be welcomed.
Dr Duke spoke during a ceremony yesterday at Mt Marie, Tobago, as the Rotaract Club donated $20,000 to the Oncology Unit of the Tobago Regional Health Authority to assist the unit.
At present the unit has 275 patients.
"The Oncology Unit right now in Tobago is fully operational, and we have no need to send patients to Trinidad to receive any form of oncological assistance, except in the area of radiation oncology," Dr Duke said.
Cancer not only affects an individual but relatives and the community, he said.
Support groups for people with cancer are also available at the unit.
"With cancer becoming an increasing diagnosis on the island, there is definitely a role for governmental as well as non-governmental organisations, and the community to be a part of the involvement in the unit," he said.
Dr Duke said he was thankful for the contribution made by the Tobago arm of the Rotaract Club.
