The Ministry of Health has called upon concerted efforts to cover issues concerning cancer services in the country.
Making the call on Wednesday at the launch of the 6th Cancer Symposium in Lilongwe, Chief of Health Services in the Ministry of Health Dr. Lilian Chunda said there is a need for more sensitization on issues concerning cancer in rural communities.
The symposium is taking place alongside the Manual Book for Breast Cancer Examination launch.
Dr Ngoma said currently cancer is contributing to 48% of non-communicable disease deaths in Malawi.
“It is evident that currently, we are only focusing on urban areas rather than rural areas as far as cancer is concerned in the country. We believe that this symposium will also tackle this issue to get messages to do with cancer in the communities. Currently, some other cancers for example affect men and children that are not widely sensitized unlike cervical cancer in women which has been of late publicized but we need to do more”, she said.
On behalf of the UNC Project, Co-Director of the Cancer Program for UNC Project Dr Tamiwe Tomoka said the organization has made strides in issues to do with cancer in the country.
Dr Tomoka said as an organization they have begun to do with HIV-related cancers that were a problem then and are excited with the coming of radiotherapy in the country.
“Strides have been made this far as we have collaborated with the Ministry of Health to establish a cancer laboratory to help in diagnosis, we have seen the Cancer Program in our organization grow as we can deal with other cancers and not only HIV-associated cancers. We are now fully in other cancers as well and our laboratory has helped a lot in diagnosing other cancers. Currently, we are also providing help at the National Cancer Center”, said Dr Tomoka.
The symposium which was launched on Wednesday and will run until Thursday has invited other health stakeholders in the country and beyond.
