Rain damage makes cancer patients difficult to deal with

Rainfall last weekend caused material damage in the Oncology Clan Kosovo University Clinical Centre.

The reason?

The contracted companies for the renovation of this clinic's peak failed to perform the works on time.

As a result, the patients ' documents have been damaged, several computers have been damaged, ceilings and walls of office and patients ' rooms being treated for various types of cancer in Oncology.

On August 7th and 8th, the Radio Free Europe team visited the clinic and saw the damage caused by the rain that penetrated it.

By the time the damage was launched at the sound of saws and hammers, patients received their cancer therapy.

“'s getting in the way of a little bit, but what to do. They also have to work”, a patient lying on the second floor of Oncology told Radio Free Europe.

Rain also caused damage in the clinic kitchen, where food is distributed to patients.

The rain that penetrated the clinic also affected the cystatics cabinet, where chemotherapy - treated patients are prepared for therapy.

This has forced staff to change the location of the material for preparing therapy for cancer patients.

In one of the rooms where patients receive therapy because of the ongoing flow of water, two patient beds have been removed.

Two private companies are engaged in the renovation of the Oncology peak. Asked about the work and damage caused at the clinic, representatives of the sub-proposed company explained that until the water leak at the clinic came because the main company, which has won the tender for renovation, has not in time managed to bring the material for roof coverage and therefore caused damage last weekend.

But, the main company, in communications it has had with responsible officials, has said precautions have been taken, but damages were caused due to strong winds.

Supervising works at the peak of Oncology is responsible for the Ministry of Economy.

Njmzaj Blakaj, manager of energy efficiency projects, told REL that all eventual damage caused during construction will be undertaken by the company that won the tender.

The construction company, after the created situation, has said it will do all the damage sanctions caused”, Blakaj said.

Representatives of construction companies have confirmed the same.

The Kosovo Clinical and University Hospital Service Directorate (SHSKUK) is waiting to become an exact estimate of damage.

“We expect an exact assessment of the damage and to be adjusted as soon as”, one of the directors at the SHSKUK said.

Oncology Clinic, now damaged by rainfall, has controlled 30,000 people from the beginning of the year until July.

By that same month, 1,224 new cancer cases have been confirmed.

In this clinic, 47,351 persons had been checked or received services in 2022, but 1,736 were new cases.

The Oncology Clinic in Pristina is the only centre in Kosovo, where cancer victims receive chemotherapy or other treatments needed for them.

Within 24 hours, an average of about 400 patients from different Kosovo cities receive services.

Often, patients there wait for hours to find a bed for chemotherapy. / REL