Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-01-26 07:33:51
Namibian President Hage Geingob is set to undergo medical treatment in the United States after an exam found the possible return of cancerous cells in his body, according to a news release from his office Wednesday.
Having been diagnosed, treated and cleared of prostate cancer, Geingob was again found to have cancerous cells after undergoing colonoscopy, gastroscopy and biopsy procedures earlier this month. The CEO of the Cancer Association of Namibia, Rolf Hansen, said the president has been open about his cancer diagnosis in the past. He said early detection and treatment played a big role in Geingob’s past treatment and recovery.
“The scope that was done indicates that there might be cancerous cells in the soft tissue, perhaps the gut, the stomach, something like this,” Hansen said. “But until there is a formal prognosis by a doctor that has been publicly released, it’s all speculation.”
Political analyst James Makuwa expressed concerns about the president’s office sharing a diagnosis without a prognosis. According to the statement issued by the president’s office, Geingob accepted an offer from scientists and doctors in Los Angeles to undergo a novel therapy for the cancerous cells.
Dr. Elizabeth Kamati lauded Geingob’s openness and encouraged other men who are going through the same disease of cancer to come forward and seek help.
The president has come under harsh criticism in the past for seeking medical treatment abroad. However, Namibian doctors acknowledge that cancer treatments are relatively specialized and that the country does not have the equipment and medical expertise to treat the disease effectively.
Namibians would like to know more about what the latest diagnosis means. The statement from the president’s office has caused concerns and questions about the president’s condition. Overall, the president’s openness about his diagnosis could encourage other men to take their health more seriously.
Read the original article on The Observer
