K10 million needed for cancer equipment
Malawi’s fight against number one killer disease for women, cervical cancer, has received a boost as the inaugural Cervical Cancer Clinic in Mzuzu is almost complete.
Authorities at Kuwala Health Media (Kuhem), a health rights organisation championing the cause, have, however, said they still need about K10 million to purchase of medical equipment.
Kuhem Executive Director Solomon Chomba said this in an interview recently.
He said the contractor is doing final touches on the structure.
But Chomba appealed for financial support, saying they need additional funds for the procurement of materials meant to ensure speedy commencement of operations at the new facility, which is set to benefit over 10,000 women in Mzuzu and surrounding areas.
“We are making progress and we are extending our heartfelt gratitude to all partners who made this happen but the journey has just began as we need not less than K10 million to stock the hospital with necessary equipment,” Chomba said.
The items needed include cryotherapy machines and gas cylinders, gynaecological examination beds, cold coagulators and sterilising equipment.
Chomba said the fight against cervical cancer, which is responsible for 30 percent of deaths in women, has for a long time been jeopardised by long distances to health facilities and unavailability of proper equipment in government hospitals.
“We hope that the facility will encourage women to go for routine screening of the cervix for early treatment in case the cancer is in the early stages. For those whose cancer is at an advanced stage, we have palliative care programmes which will be instrumental in promoting good health,” he added.
A 2013 research by the World Health Organisation established that Malawi leads the global scorecard of cervical cancer mortality, with 2,324 women dying of the disease every year.
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