Cancer treatment in Germany still possible!

• Team OncoloMed
• 19 January 2021
• 6 min read
• Current issues
• Front Page

Much can be said about how many health authorities handle the Corona virus, but it is a debate that others should be allowed to take. But what we do know, is that many cancer treatments around the world is put on hold, or severely delayed, due to the all-consuming focus on the COVID 19 situation. Often to make room for Covid 19 patients, without thinking that cancer treatment may be even more important for the patients to whom this applies, rather than Corona patients, who after all have a low and well defined mortality rate and risk picture.

Then it may be good to know that it may still be possible to travel for treatment, for those who may wish to do so, and even though the travel process itself can be more complicated than before, it is still possible to enter Germany for treatment- even if it officially entry bans and closed borders.

The way in which this must be done is that the hospital, in our case most of our latest patients have been travelling to Medias Klinikum, will send the patient hospital statement informing about the need for treatment and that an agreement to do so has been arranged. This is done through us at OncoloMed. With new regulations being implemented almost daily, the rule as of 19 January 2021, is that any patient arriving from abroad, will now have to do a Covid 19 test at the airport upon arrival, then be picked up by the hospital where he/she will be quarantined for 5 days. (please note that variations on which countries that are allowed to travel and quarantine stay may change frequently).

During treatment at Medias, new Covid 19 tests will be taken, during the treatment period (usually 10 days), and obviously the clinic will take all the necessary precautions to protect both patients and themselves from getting infection – but so more distancing and protective gear is mandatory in the daily hospital routines, but as a patient, that should not impose any problem if this can help to fight a cancer that is otherwise put on hold?
As for the situation for our hospitals in the Netherlands and England, the situation is still a bit confusing. Erasmus MC in Rotterdam may accepts patients, but there is a very strict regime on inflight rules and quarantine regulation prior to arriving hospital. In London, the situation is even more difficult, and the infection situation here is then also a complicating element, and we therefore assume that in our context it is most relevant for our patients to think Germany until the Covid 19 situation is more under control.

If you should decide to travel for treatment at all, of course.
But the goal of this little update, is at least to show that the opportunities are still present, if perhaps it is more demanding than before!

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Cancer treatment in Germany still possible!

Much can be said about how many health authorities handle the Corona virus, but it is a debate that others should be allowed to take. But what we do know, is that many cancer treatments around the world is put on hold, or severely delayed, [...]