More funds needed to fight cancer in children
Malawi last week joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Childhood Cancer Day with a call for increased funding towards fighting the disease.
In Lilongwe, events to mark the day were organised by Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Malawi in collaboration with Kamuzu Central Hospital’s National Cancer Centre.
Ministry of Health head of non-communicable diseases Jonathan Chiwanda said cancer drains resources both at national and household levels as it takes long to treat.
He said treating a cancer patient costs between K3 million and K10 million, depending on the level of the cancer.
“Globally, childhood cancer survival rate is at 20 percent but here in Malawi we are at about 70 percent. With enough resources, we would be able to reach 100 percent because, for children, cancer is easy to treat especially when diagnosed early,” he said.
Chiwanda said KCH annually registers about 250 new childhood cancer cases.
Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Malawi medical director Dr. Rizine Mzikamanda Junior highlighted the need to foster meaningful collaborations among stakeholders to enhance the quality of services for children with cancer.
“Cancer treatment is long, toxic and painful hence the need for more support,” he said.
This year’s theme was Equal Access to Care; Unveiling Challenges.
It is estimated that 400 000 children and adolescents develop cancer globally and more than 80 percent of childhood cancers occur in low- and middle-income countries.
