There are over 22 associations that gather women who suffer from breast cancer in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). One of the most active one is certainly Association Renesansa whose members, in cooperation with few more non-governmental organizations, are struggling this summer for the lives of more than 80 women who suffer from breast cancer and are on the waiting list for the cure Herceptin, essential in breast cancer therapy.

Therefore, Renesansa recently organized petition signing and demanded from the authorities of the F B&H, to eliminate the waiting list for the cure against breast cancer, Herceptin. In just first 4 hours, 5 000 of signatures were collected on the streets of Sarajevo and close to 100  online signatures were signed worldwide. Both petitions are still open for signing and street actions and call for signatures are planned for Tuzla and Mostar until the end of September 2009.

Although the cure Herceptin decreases the death possibility of the patient for 30-50 percent, there are over 80 women in Federation of B&H who are on its waiting list. The doctors stress that it is important to start with the Herceptin, 21 day after the radiation treatment. However, some of the patients waited or still wait for it over a year.

Semir Beslija, chief of the Department for Oncology of Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, has several times stated for media, that Federation of B&H is the only part of the Europe that has a waiting list for this cure. In Bureau for Health Insurance of F B&H explain that the Herceptin therapy would cost around 35 000 Euros for only one woman and that there is not enough financial means to support that.

However, Mr. Beslija argues that the same issue was solved in Croatia in less than 24 hours, right after national TV broadcasted the case of single mother who appealed to public for the cure Herceptin, to which she did not have access at that time.

„There is no excuse for the existence of the waiting list, the money for this cure must be found because it is saving lives of these women“, says Beslija and adds: „There is no point in starting the Herceptin therapy 6 months or a year after the operation, because the cure by then, loses its efficiency“.

Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in B&H has addressed the public statement to the government and media, demanding from authorities of F B&H to eliminate „the shameful waiting list for the cure against breast cancer Herceptin“. Helsinki Committee has reminded the Government that this cure is available in the other entity of the state B&H, Republic of Srpska, as well as in neighbour countries in the region.

Members of Association Renesansa proposed to collect money for the cure, by creating the Fond for Expensive Medicaments, which will be collected through symbolical taxing of cigarette packages. However, the Federal  Government replies that such way is too complicated.

„It is always their excuse that there is not enough money, and all waiting lists would be solved with 7,5 millions of Euros, which is not that huge number due to the fact that those cures are saving people’s lives. In the end, how can you measure someone’s life by the amount of money ?“, asks Spomenka Hadzic, the president of the Association Renesansa, and concludes: „ We are only asking for the right to be adequately cured after operation“.

Related articles:

Tuzla: Call for signatures – upcoming event ;

Say NO to the waiting list for Herceptin ;

Federation of B&H violates the right to life ;

Sarajevo: Call for signatures – past event.

Photos:

Peition signing for elimination of the waiting list for the cure Herceptin, July 4th 2009, Sarajevo