MidCentral Health has received serious criticism after it took the decision to call off chemotherapy for 14 different types of cancers. The reason stated for this action is shortage of specialists. It has painted the clear picture in front of the masses concerning cancer cure.

The board's Chief Medical Officer, Kenneth Clark, revealed that it would be really unscrupulous to lay hands on the cases for which the treatment isn’t really available with the service. Hence, MidCentral is being candid with the patients by bringing forth the clear idea about the rationalised services.

Dr. Clark also said that such patients will be taken care of by other doctors, which would enable the medical oncology team to lay emphasis on the patients, who can actually respond effectively to chemotherapy.

Dr. Ian Smiley, who works at Te Rangimarie Hospice along with his New Plymouth GP practice, alleviated the fears of patients diagnosed recently with cancer by saying that the chemotherapy treatment has been lifted for no other reason than critical lack of oncologists.

He also had an opinion that the issue has been made public with a clear intention to invite the attention of the Government authorities towards the need for more oncologists. Even the Cancer Society has given its consent to the concerns of MidCentral by unraveling that certain types of cancer are a “wake-up call” for New Zealand.