By Editorial
The Uganda Cancer Institute has announced that it has added a new technology of blood and cellular therapy to provide more treatment options for patients, including those without cancer, but referred for advanced management.
The therapy named apheresis is a procedure in which blood is collected and part of the blood such as platelets is taken out while the rest of the blood is returned to the donor.
Addressing journalists yesterday, Dr. Ritah Bafumba, the head of the nurse and hematology ward at the Institute said there are two apheresis machines installed at the cancer institute, one for donation and the other is for treating.
According to Dr. Henry Ddungu, a consultant hematology at the Uganda Cancer Institute said with this new treatment option for patients, those willing and qualify will be able to donate either white or red blood cells to those who need them.
He said this is in addition to the bone marrow transplant treatment that the cancer institute is set to begin doing. END