Malawi continues to grapple with cancer burden, ranking highly in cancer incidences and mortality, according to Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda.
In a statement she delivered Friday at the 67th International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that took place in Vienna Australia, Chiponda said the available data on cancer incidences and mortality shows greater need for radiotherapy diagnosis and treatment services.
She said Malawi continues to lose lives through cancer and is spending billions annually through referrals for cancer patients abroad.
“The Ministry of Health is working hard to finalise the construction of the radiotherapy and brachytherapy bunkers by November 2023.
“Upon completion, the country will save $2 million (about K2.25 billion) in annual referrals and much more on the lives that we lose due to the limited capacity to send abroad those in need of radiotherapy services,” Chiponda said.
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Under the Rays of Hope initiative, Chiponda said, Malawi has benefited about $2.8 million which will enable the country to procure an extra machine whose bunker is already under construction at the National Cancer Centre in Lilongwe.
“The government would like to appreciate our donors and partners for their financial assistance through the Rays of Hope initiative and especially the United States of America for their financial assistance towards training and procurement of equipment,” she said.
Chiponda said however that having a cancer centre located in Lilongwe only may not be adequate, hence the need for expansion of the cancer centre services to other regions in Blantyre, Mzuzu and Zomba.
“This will therefore need continued support on training personnel, infrastructure and equipment. However, for now, government would like to see to it that the current project is finalised as soon as possible to put a smile on cancer patients,” she said.
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is key
In his reaction, Chairperson for the Health Committee of Parliament Matthews Ngwale said the cancer centre remains key in tackling cancer in Malawi.
“We as Parliament are worried that the project is not receiving the attention it deserves. For example, in the past budget, the cancer centre was allocated just over K1 billion against a requirement of over K7.5 billion.
“When I saw this during the last budget session, I immediately approached the Minister of Finance about the anomaly. He told me that that’s what the Ministry of Health requested. The Ministry of Health on its part said they had submitted the K7.5 billion budget,” he said.
He said they have had meetings with the Ministry of Health for an update on the project.
“Sadly the situation is unchanged. My hope is that the Ministry of Finance will look into this and provide the funding required to complete the construction of the bunkers,” Ngwale said.
