 Ms. Ruth Nakazibwe's photo which was taken by Dr. Thadeus Mutebi on the day the patient presented herself for pregnancy test in April 2011. The Uganda Cancer Research Foundation Luweero Integrated programme Paid a visit to Ms. Nakazibwe Ruth, A resident of Luweero Town in Luweero District Date: 3rd June 2011 Introduction Ms. Nakazibwe Ruth some times known as Maama Sharon or Maama Mathias was today 3rd June 2011 visited by a team from the Uganda Cancer Research Foundation Luweero Integrated Programme. Nakazibwe a born of Nakasongola district who studied up to primary seven dropped out of school because her parents could no longer afford to pay for her school fees. Nakazibwe, after dropping out of school, started surviving on her own as a market vender dealing in food stuffs. Nakazibwe a mother of six (6) children was born on the 25th September 1977 in a small village in Nakasongola district. In her life, Nakazibwe has had two husbands. With the first husband, they produced 4 children and with the current one, they have two children and in total six children. Nakazibwe is now having a breast feeding baby who is 1month and 2 weeks old. Currently, Nakazibwe is running a small Kiosk which supplies soft drinks like sodas, quencher and water together with some snacks. And from her business, she can take care of her household necessities and also pay school fees for her children. Nakazibwe reveals that her business is rewarding and it is normally busy on Monday which is a market day for Luweero town. Nakazibwe’s parents are both alive and once in a while, she gets support from them to take care of her financial challenges. The UCRF Luweero Integrated Programme came into contact with Nakazibwe after she had presented her self for pregnancy test to Dr. Thaddeus Mutebi who is also a member and staff of the UCRF Luweero Integrated Programme. Diagnosing her, the Doctor realized that Nakazibwe had a swelling on her breast which was suspicious of a Carcinoma (Cancer) a condition she has been living with for 10 years. The Doctor then advised Nakazibwe to have a biopsy taken off her breast. However since then, Nakazibwe has never turned up for the biopsy a condition which prompted UCRF members to follow her up to her home. Objective of the visit
CHALLENGES · The patient (Nakazibwe) is still living under denial · The patient thinks she has no financial support to go for a biopsy · Nakazibwe is still worried of the unknown and so fears to undergo a biopsy · Nakazibwe still lives under superstition that any person diagnosed of cancer is bound to die and no hope for a recovery. · Nakazibwe keeps consulting her parents who have assured her that if she goes for the biopsy and she is diagnosed of cancer, then she will start preparing for her funnel. Activities carried out during the visit
CONCLUSION The visit of the UCRF Luweero Integrated Programme staff to Nakazibwe’s home is sign that UCRF members care for the wellbeing of the rural people particularly those struggling to survive with cancer. During this visit, members have been able to establish that there are still very many people living under superstition of the unknown, a condition (cancer) that has kept the patients to die a miserable death. Sometimes, such people would have survived but, given the nature of society these people live in and coupled with their academic backgrounds, death is accelerated. Members of the Uganda Cancer Research Foundation Luweero Integrated programme call upon charities, government and individuals directly and indirectly affected by cancer to join hands in the fight against cancer which is no longer a myth but a reality in society today. For comments, submissions, concerns, critics kindly forward them to: 1. Isanga Anthony UCRF Luweero Integrated programme Email: isecoo@yahoo.co.uk / ucrfluweero@gmail.com (General Comments) 2. Dr. Thaddeus Mutebi Email: thadmut@yahoo.com (Medical Comments/issues) | ||||||||
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Ms. Ruth Nakazibwe's Story
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