A senior man has died of cancer following a delay in treatment that could prolong his life.

73-year-old Malachy Watkins from England has passed away months after his cancer treatment, which was allegedly supposed to start back in February, got delayed due to the pandemic.

As the senior’s heartbroken wife, Sheila, said in an interview with The Times, the couple had hoped to “have a few more years together” after the treatment even though they understood cancer wouldn’t get cured.

Back in 2019, Malachy underwent treatment that saw his tumors shrink. In February this year, after his tumors had grown again, the elderly man was informed his treatment would be delayed due to risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Mr. Watkins was able to resume his treatment in late May, his condition had already degraded to a point beyond return and he suffered a collapsed lung.

In September, after months of treatment, the 73-year-old passed away.

As Mrs. Watkins insisted after her husband’s passing, she believes that her husband would respond better to the treatment if it had started back in February when he was still “well in himself.”

She also opened up about the family’s struggles with hospital visits and revealed how his children weren’t allowed to visit him in his hospital room until he was already having his “final breaths.”

As the grieving widow said, she doesn’t want to see the healthcare system “forgo everything else for the sake of coronavirus.”

Following Mr. Watkins’ death, the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust Chief Executive offered condolences to Sheila and her family.

“We offer our sincere condolences to Mr. Watkins’ loved ones at this incredibly sad time,” Nick Carver said.

“Cancer treatment continued throughout the pandemic for all patients for who it was safe to do so, and we have worked in partnership with the independent sector to maintain high levels of activity in line with all national guidance.

“The pandemic has been a global health challenge and we have had to work very differently to keep patients, staff and visitors as safe as possible.”

 

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