Oranmore man to lose out on funds for US cancer treatment
Galway Bay fm newsroom - Government funding will not be provided to help an Oranmore man receive cancer treatment in New York.
The 40 year old father-of-three was diagnosed with colon and liver cancer and has seen specialists in Galway and Dublin hospitals.
The recommendation is that he receive a special procedure at world-renowned Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York.
The cost of the treatment and aftercare is estimated at 150 thousand euro.
The family has been approved for 40 thousand euro under the Government's Treatment Abroad Scheme, but only for medical treatment within Europe at a clinic in France.
However it's understood that the New York treatment has better health outcomes.
Speaking in the Seanad, Galway Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames asked that the Minister for Health re-direct the money to cover the cost of the New York treatment.
However, Minister Dinny McGinley, replying on behalf of the Health Minister, James Reilly, said it would not be possible to fund the American treatment.