By; Francis Lubega
The Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng has found a tough time to convince members of the parliamentary committee on health about the UGX 2.7billion procured Cobalt 60 cancer machine said to be out dated.
Dr. Aceng insisted that the machine was in good condition and ready to serve Ugandans by November this year when all the necessary requirements are put in place.
She further challenged the public not to be misled by the media reports that the machine is not in position to serve.
However, MPs insisted on taking a visit to establish facts about the machine but said it would have been easier to procure the latest linear accelerator machine that is modern in cancer treatment.
After almost two agonizing years of waiting, the machine was recently shipped from Czech Republic through Mombasa port with guidance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a United Nations body that regulates use of nuclear and atomic energy.
It was allegedly purchased at 642,000 Euros (more than Shs2.7b) by both government and IAEA; it replaced the old cobalt 60 radiotherapy machine, which broke down beyond repair on March 27, 2016, leaving about 2,000 patients without proper treatment and some people died in the process.
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