By Arnold Tutu
The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council, NGOCC, has welcomed President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA’s recommissioning of the refurbished Radiotherapy and Imaging Section at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka.
NGOCC Board Chairperson BEAUTY KATEBE says the facility’s reopening comes after more than five years of closure, during which many cancer patients faced lengthy delays, costly referrals abroad, or were unable to access life-saving treatment.
Ms. KATEBE notes that the restored unit can now treat up to 60 patients each day.
She says this will improve access to specialised cancer care and reduce the financial burden on patients and their families.
The NGOCC Board Chairperson has said in a statement that the development is particularly important for women, who account for more than 60 per cent of cancer patients in Zambia.
Ms. KATEBE stated that cervical and breast cancers continue to claim the lives of many women.
She said access to local radiotherapy and imaging services removes a major barrier to timely treatment, especially for low-income patients.
Ms. KATEBE added that the first patient treated on the restored equipment was a woman battling cervical cancer, describing it as a clear indication of the immediate impact of the investment.
She also said the upgraded facility strengthens Zambia’s ambition to become a regional centre for specialised healthcare and medical tourism within the Southern African Development Community -SADC.
However, Ms. KATEBE has urged Government to sustain the investment by ensuring adequate staffing, routine maintenance of specialised equipment, affordable treatment and improved referral systems.
She has further called for expanded cervical and breast cancer screening services across the country.
Ms. KATEBE further said no woman should be denied timely and quality healthcare because of her location or economic status.
Yesterday, President HICHILEMA commissioned advanced cancer treatment equipment at the Cancer Diseases Hospital, describing it as a major step towards making Zambia a regional centre for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
President HICHILEMA said Zambia is now the third country in Africa, after South Africa and Egypt, to install the advanced cancer treatment equipment.
He said the development will enable cancer patients to access specialised treatment within the country instead of travelling abroad, including to India.
Speaking during the commissioning of the US$31 million refurbished radiotherapy and imaging unit at the Cancer Diseases Hospital, President HICHILEMA said the project was financed entirely from local resources.
The President said the facility fulfils his administration’s commitment to improve cancer treatment services following its assumption of office.President HICHILEMA said despite limited resources, Government made healthcare a priority because quality health services are vital to national development.
He said Government is constructing two additional Cancer Diseases Hospitals in Ndola and Livingstone to expand access to specialised cancer treatment.
The President added that Government is also developing a Medical Tourism City near Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, which will house specialised medical treatment centres.
