Tijuana, June 2, 2023.- For four months, difficulties in receiving care from the hematologist and a lack of the medications Brentuximab and Bendamustine have prevented a 20-year-old woman from receiving the treatment she needs to stop a 15-centimeter cancerous tumor that is preventing her from breathing and currently keeping her bedridden, as reported by Mrs. Alma Isabel Covarrubias López.
She explained that the problem with hematologist Pedro Alejandro Alvarado began in January. Despite having an appointment with him at two in the afternoon, the doctor would arrive after four, meaning he couldn't see the 25 people waiting for him. He then went into a slump due to contracting Covid-19, according to what she was told.
When they finally had the appointment, a month after it was scheduled, the doctor ordered a six-session chemotherapy treatment that couldn't be started due to a shortage of the drug Brentuximab. After waiting a week to speak with the director, she was informed that the medication was missing.
Although Brentuximab was obtained, the first chemotherapy session has not been carried out due to the lack of another drug called Bendamustine, which, according to what she was informed, was requested since May 4th, but they still cannot obtain it and they denied the possibility of administering it if Mrs. Covarrubias buys it.
"The director told me not to buy it, that I have the right to have the IMSS pay for it, but they don't have it, and my daughter doesn't have the flu; she has cancer," said the woman, who claims the health institution has also denied her the right to surrogate chemotherapy despite her daughter's urgent need for the treatment.
Due to the lack of care, Ms. Covarrubias filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (folio number 2023/49500) and with the Baja California Medical Arbitration Commission (folio number 154/TJ/2023), but the young woman has still not begun treatment to stop the tumor from growing.
