Modern Blantyre cancer centre opens January

The International Blantyre Cancer Centre (IBCC), Malawi’s first modern cancer treatment facility under construction in Nyambadwe, Blantyre, will roll out its services in January 2024.

The Thomson and Barbara Mpinganjira Foundation is a key partner in the IBCC project.

IBCC representative Alfred Mtetemera said this on Wednesday when journalists under the Southern Region Press Club toured the facility to appreciate progress and enhance their understanding on cancer coverage.

He said they have so far pumped in about K17 billion into the project which is now almost 95 percent complete.

“We finished the first phase of installing equipment. We are entering a second phase this week then by January 2024, we should be able to commence services,” said Mtetemera.

He said the facility will in the first phase not provide admissions, but will daily treat about 10 patients with chemotherapy while 30 to 40 patients will undergo radiotherapy.

Said Mtetemera. “The second phase will comprise a diagnostic laboratory, admission rooms and incinerator.

“We are doing this hybrid project in collaboration with the Malawi Government. Discussions are at an advanced stage where the government will refer patients to this centre. The idea is to make cancer treatment and services affordable to every Malawian.”

George Acquah, a medical physicist who is one of the experts in fitting and commissioning equipment at the facility, said IBCC will treat all kinds of cancers and solid tumours except leukemia.

M a l a w i ’ s h e a l t h system currently offers only chemotherapy and the government faces a $1 million (about K1.7 billion) bill annually for international referrals of cancer patients who need radiotherapy