Personal commitment to fight cancer

More than one third of cancer cases can be prevented. Another third can be cured if detected early and treated properly. The Ministry of Health has prioritised cancer control and is committed to ensuring that the communities are educated on how to prevent cancer, access cancer screening and treatment services including palliative care everywhere in Uganda. This commitment is evidenced by;

• Providing an enabling legal framework for cancer control through The Uganda Cancer Institute Act of 2016.
• Establishment of the Center of Excellence for cancer treatment in East and Central Africa at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) with support from African Development Bank. The need for referrals abroad for cancer treatment has been mitigated.
• Increased funding for the Uganda Cancer Institute to UGX 8.4 billion in 2018/19 budget
• Increased availability and accessibility of cancer treatment medicines. Uganda Cancer Institute medicines supply is now at almost 100%.
• Providing vaccination against cancer of the cervix at each sub county and immunisation post in Uganda. Current HPV vaccination is at 70%. Girls aged 10 years are protected from getting cancer of the cervix in future.
• Enacting the tobacco control act; Tobacco is known to cause almost 60% of all cancers. The Government is currently in the process of enacting the alcohol control law.
• Investment in cancer diagnostic and treatment services. Uganda Cancer Institute has a state of the art laboratory and imaging equipment for cancer diagnosis.
• In addition, with support from the Indian Government, we have acquired a second radiotherapy machine. Government of Uganda has also procured the third radiotherapy machine which will be shipped into the country by March 2019. Construction of the bunkers to house the machines has been completed. This means all patients who need radiotherapy services will receive it in a timely manner
• UCI is now a centre of excellence in Oncology in the whole of the East African Region and Uganda is proud to host the East African Oncology Institute that trains cancer treatment specialists.
• Increasing the human resources for cancer treatment. In addition to the best doctors present at the Uganda Cancer Institute, the Ministry of Health with support from African Development Bank is training an additional 208 cancer treatment and care specialists and researchers. Uganda Cancer Institute has also trained 500 health workers from district Local Governments and regional referral hospitals on how to educate communities about cancer and provide cancer screening services in the country.
• This financial year, 169 additional staff from Regional Referral Hospitals will be trained further in cancer screening and treatment.
• Government is in the process of establishing Regional Cancer Centers in Gulu, Arua, Mbarara, Mbale. Mbarara Regional Cancer Center is already running and caring for over 20,000 cancer patients. Gulu Regional Cancer Center will open doors to people of the Acholi region in 2019/2020.
• Plans are underway to extend cancer awareness and screening services at every Health Center III in the country.

The Government of Uganda recognises and appreciates the role and contribution of Uganda Cancer Society, the American Cancer Society and other partners in the fight against cancer in Uganda. You have supported us in raising cancer awareness, providing patient support and accommodation, counseling services and palliative care. On behalf of Ministry of Health, we immensely appreciate your effort.

I thank the development partners especially the International Atomic Energy Agency, Fred Hutch Research Center and African Development Bank for their support towards cancer control in the country.

I thank my staff here at the Ministry of Health, the management and staff of Uganda Cancer Institute for the passion and great effort they put in to help cancer patients. And I thank the Uganda Cancer Society for mobilising the civil society in the fight against cancer. I call upon all individuals, communities, civil society and development partners to support Government to strengthen efforts that stimulate powerful cancer advocacy, action and accountability at every level. I finally thank the members of the press for helping us reach the population with cancer prevention and control messages and urge them to do more so that cancer stops killing our people prematurely.

****

Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu is the Minister of State for Health – Primary Health Care