Cancer treatment: the government’s contribution remains insufficient

80% of the people suffering from cancer in the oncology service at the HJRA Hospital do not have enough means to carry out their full treatment. On the other hand, in spite of an annual contribution provided by the government in each service of the hospital, its overall budget still remains insufficient to meet its needs and expenses. According to Sister Anne Claire of the HJRA Hospital Drugstore, “the government annually provides the oncology service with a budget of about 280 000 000 Ariary, mainly destined for medicines and other equipments needed for cancer treatment. However, that contribution covers only one third of the needs of the oncology service”.

Actually, the budget granted by the government can only cover the supply of chemotherapy products. As for other treatment costs, the hospital management has adopted, for a couple of years now, a system allowing the most financially vulnerable patients to pursue their treatment. After being interviewed by specialists, patients are classified into three categories. The first category consists of patients who can afford to pay the entire cost of their treatment, while the second category can only pay 50% of the cost, and the third category, consisting of the most vulnerable, does not have to pay but 10% of their treatment cost.  

In the current time, the administration of the hospital is looking for other resources to help the patients. “We are trying to find additional resources, mainly financial ones, so that all the population can have access to all the services concerning cancer treatment”, declared Professor Florine Rafaramino. For instance, last week, a telethon having for theme “Running Against Cancer” was being organized inside the service. The collected funds, up to 2 million Ariary, will be used to buy serum and other intravenous substances for patients.