Ministry of Health head of infrastructure development Sanderson Kuyeri says the National Cancer Centre in Lilongwe will help government to save $2 million (about K3.4 billion) per year it uses to send cancer patients abroad for treatment.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, he said for many years the country has been sending cancer patients to access radiotherapy services abroad.
Said Kuyeri: “As you may be aware, the country has been sending patients to South Africa, Tanzania, India and Kenya for treatment, thereby spending over $2 million [about K3.4 billion] per year.
“However, patients will access the services in the country.”
He said a team of doctors and experts are working on final touches on the machines and other equipment.
Kuyeri said the facility will have four bunkers for radiotherapy and two bunkers for black therapy.
He said: “Once operational, 80 percent of the patients will be treated within the country except those who may have complex conditions.
“Our plan is that by the end of May or early June people should start accessing radiotherapy treatment.”
Malawi Health Equity Network (Mhen) executive director George Jobe commended government for the construction of the facility.
He said it will help cancer patients to access treatment within the country at low cost.
“We have been sending patients abroad, but now to hear that radiotherapy is about to roll out, this is good news indeed,” said Jobe.
Government is constructing the centre with funding from the Opec Fund for International Development.
Malawi registers over 18 000 cancer cases annually and presently, the country provides oncology, including chemotherapy and palliative care services for cancer clients
