Kuwait gives K80m cancer drugs to Malawi
The Kuwait people, through a non-governmental organisation (NGO) called Direct Aid Kuwait, have donated K80 million (US$194 174.8) worth of assorted cancer drugs to the Malawi Government.
Minister of Health Jean Kalilani received the consignment on behalf of government at a function that took place at Capital Hill on Wednesday.
Kalilani described the donation as a “relief to a constrained ministry, which is registering thousands of new cancer cases every year”.
“We record 20 000 new cancer cases every year, as such, this donation is timely. The quality of the drugs is very good as verified by the Central Medical Stores Trust [CMST],” said Kalilani.
She said, in the past, most cancer patients bought medicines from other countries, noting that the drugs are expensive, which makes those that depend on public hospitals lose out.
“In view of this, the drugs will be stocked in all major public hospitals so that even the poor should access them free. We are, therefore, very grateful to the Kuwait Government for this donation,” said Kalilani.
Direct Aid Kuwait director Kunsamala Adin said the donation resulted from a request made by President Peter Mutharika when he visited Kuwait recently.
