Jorge Quispe / La Paz
President Luis Arce recalled this Sunday, during the inauguration of the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy in El Alto, that when he was diagnosed with cancer, the doctors “evicted” him and that is why he had to go to Brazil to undergo specialized treatment. He stressed that now the Bolivians will no longer have the need to go to neighboring countries for this service with the start-up of the nuclear center.
“My sister (Rosario Calle, leader of cancer patients in Bolivia) reminded me when I had to leave the country. Here brothers and sisters, and I am going to say it clearly, the doctors evicted me, ”revealed Arce, 58, and that in 2018, after specialized treatments in Brazil, she was able to beat cancer.
“We had to go outside, we are survivors, because they detected us with equipment similar to these. They told me that there can be no operation, but treatment and specialized treatment. Brothers and sisters (now) we have it at the disposal of Bolivians, there will no longer be a need for them to go to Brazil, Argentina or Chile to do the treatment,” added the president.
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The new infrastructure, located in the Parcopata area of District 8 of the city of El Alto, is intended for cancer patients and has the capacity to care for up to 120 patients per day, which means 36,000 per year, all within the framework of the Single Health Insurance (SUS).
“The nuclear medical center has the best technology in South American countries. Because of them, today the country is making a qualitative leap in the fight against cancer,” insisted Arce, who then toured the facilities of the new infrastructure that the Government delivered to El Alto for its 37th anniversary.
According to Arce, Bolivia now also achieves “sovereignty in the fight against cancer.”
A few minutes earlier, the leader of cancer patients in Bolivia, Rosario Calle, reminded the Head of State that he is a cancer survivor. “He has felt this disease in his body and he understands well what we need. Thank you, brother president, for prioritizing this issue on the State’s agenda.”
