Cancer is slowly and gradually killing people in Uganda however those who report for treatment only get mild treatment despite huge cancer burden in the community this web site has learnt.
According to our findings few victims who report to health centres get inadequate treatment and report at advanced stage when cancer has eaten up their bodies.
Current status if cancer in Uganda
The burden of cancer is increasing globally. It is estimated that Uganda has 34,005 new cases of cancer every year of these an estimated 20% of new cancer cases make it to the Uganda Cancer ibstitute for care while 27,000 Ugandans do not access camcer care services.
Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) Executive Director Dr Oremu says government has embarked on expansion of patient infrastructure that will see bed capacity of UCI increased to 350 beds. In addition number of key machines and equipment have been purchased to support radiotherapy.
“With support of the African Development bank, UCI is also establishing multipurpose research and training facility tgatnsill house number of facilities including 3T MRI, bone marrow transplant facilities, clinics and other patient care training and research facilities,”he said.
” In addition the government has embarked on decentralisation of cancer care in Uganda with creation of regional cancer centres in Arua, Mbale and Mbarara. The goal of these centres is to improve access to cancer care services from current 20% to 85% by 2025/26, “Oremu added.
Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) seeks Shs511 billion for the implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan (UNCP) scheduled to start in early 2025.
The 2024/25-2029/30 UNCP being developed by UCI, is expected to cost Shs670billion. Authorities say the Ugandan government has committed to contribute Shs18billion while the balance is expected to come from internal and external donors.
Speaking at the quarterly update meeting of the Palliative Care Association of Uganda on February 23, UCI head of the National Cancer Control Secretariat and Community Cancer Services, Research and Training Directorate Dr Noleb Mugisha called for funding to reduce the disease burden in Uganda.
According to a plan extensively presented by Dr Mugisha, the $170m (over Shs670billion) will be broken into five years as; $27.2m to be spent in the first year, $28.9m in the second, $38.2m in the third, $34.2m in the fourth and $41.6m in the last year.
The plan aims at strengthening capacity in cancer prevention, early detection, curative, palliative care and survivorship interventions in the national health and development agenda,” he noted.
“It will also promote partnership and collaboration in cancer control, build cancer surveillance systems and research to support national planning and implementation of interventions and as well set standards and coordinate interventions across implementing stakeholder,” he added
The 2020 statistics from Global Cancer Observatory (GCO), an interactive web-based platform presenting global cancer, indicated that there are 34,008 new cancer cases with 22,992 deaths attributed to cancer in Uganda.
Of these, other types of cancer led with 15,840 cases, followed by cervical cancer with 6,900, Kaposi sarcoma followed, then breast cancer among others.
Dr Mugume said the plan, if implemented, has a capacity of averting the increasing cancer burden in the country.
“We want to reduce the proportion of patients presenting with advanced cancer through increasing coverage of cervical, breast, and prostate cancer screening services, develop and implement national, “Dr Mugume said.
Brenda Nandutu programs officer Uganda cancer society pledged to carry out more sensitisation of cancer among the communities to address cancer burden.
” As an organisation committed to advancing cancer care in Uganda,we remain dedicated to closing the care gap and improving outcomes for all individuals affected by cancer. Through continued collaboration and concerted efforts, we strive to make meaningful progress in tge fight against cancer and ensure tgat every patient receives the care and support they dessrve, “Nandutu said.
Uganda Cancer Society is an umbrella organisation of 45 Civil society Organisations that play key part within cancer control contnium ranging from service delivery, raising awareness, advocacy with polucy makers, patients empowerment and research
