The PUVA Unit at Boffa Hospital has, for at least the last 12 years, been run by two nurses. It operates seven days a week and is open from 7am to 6pm.

Treatment for psoriasis patients is normally three times a week. Therefore, it’s not hard to realise how critical the operation of the PUVA Unit is, not just for psoriasis patients but also for those suffering from other skin disorders that require such service.

For psoriasis patients, the dosage is gradually increased with each session, therefore it is critical that no sessions are missed. If, say, a week is missed, then dosage has to be reduced again to avoid any skin burns, thus potentially affecting the efficacy of the treatment.

For the last eight months, the PUVA Unit has been run by one nurse who is truly dedicated and gives his utmost to cause minimal disruption to patients availing themselves of the service.

However, the lack of a second nurse is severely felt and authorities are dragging their feet on finding a replacement.

This nurse cannot take any long- term vacation leave because it disrupts treatments for all patients. There is a waiting list of patients waiting to start the treatment because there are only so many patients that can be accommodated at the moment.

Furthermore, current patients are alternating between two and three sessions a week.

Every time I check on the progress of finding a replacement, no one is in a position to give me a satisfactory answer. Why is it taking so long to find a replacement?