Statistics from the Registry at the Uganda Cancer Institute showed that there were more than 300 new cases of cancer per every 1,000 people. These mainly suffer from Cervical, Lung, Brain cancer, and Kaposi sarcoma among others. What was worrying was that 80% of these patients died within one year of being diagnosed with cancer. In view of this trend, doctors were advocating for free cancer treatment across the country to reduce the mortality rate. They argued that on average a patient needed over 3 million shillings to start cancer treatment which many Ugandans couldn’t afford.
“Most of our population because of poverty they cannot afford and we cannot condemn them to death just because cancer treatment is expensive. So that something which the government has to take over.” Said, Dr. Jackson Orem – Executive Director, Uganda Cancer Institute. “So, I think the mandate is really for the government to come up and provide all the care for cancer patients. Actually, cancer treatment should be part of the National Health Insurance Scheme when it comes to this.” Said, Dr. Samuel Guma – Vice President, Uganda Cancer Society.
These doctors and other medical experts from Africa, Asia, and Europe were attending a National Conference of Cancer and Palliative Care being held in Munyonyo Kampala. The Conference was looking at creating new strategies and partnerships in treating cancer. The Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda gave assurance of the government’s commitment to having cancer treatment available at various health centers across the country. “The government has plans to establish Regional Cancer Centers in order to make it easier for patients from different corners of Uganda to access cancer care, and cancer diagnosis much more easily.” Said, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda – Prime Minister. “We don’t pay our doctors so well but the fact that these doctors, these specialists, the Oncologists, Dermatologists have opted to serve despite that bigger pay is commendable.” Said, Dr. Sarah Opendi – State Minister of Health.
At the same event, the Uganda Cancer Institute celebrated 50 years of existence. Statistics from the National Cancer Institute showed that 80% of the cancer patients took longer to go to the hospitals to receive treatment, this meant that there was need to create more awareness on how to treat this deadly disease.
