Government to set up regional cancer treatment centres

Dr Jackson Orem (R) the director Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago, leads a charity walk in Mbarara Town on Monday. PHOTO BY FELIX AINEBYOONA 

In Summary

No access. Many people, especially in rural areas, fail to get treatment due to inaccessibility of treatment facilities in Kampala

MBARARA. The Ministry of Health will create regional cancer treatment centres in the country to fight the deadly disease in local communities.
Addressing students at Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara after conducting a cancer awareness walk through Mbarara Town on Monday, Dr Jackson Orem, the director of Uganda Cancer Institute, said people in local communities are finding it difficult to access treatment from Kampala at the Uganda Cancer Institute yet they can be treated at regional centres.

Dr Orem, who represented the Health minister, Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, said this has led to an increase in cases of cancer, especially in rural areas.
“… the government has decided to set up regional centres where the local population can afford to have cancer screening and treatment,” he said.

Prof Mauda Kamatenesi, the Vice Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University, urged Ugandans to be vigilant, especially in relation to cancer screening.
“Cancer is a silent killer but I think now it is no longer silent since you have got the information. I ask all of you to be ambassadors in fighting the deadly disease,” he said.
Cancer kills at least 20,000 Ugandans annually, according to the Uganda Cancer Institute.

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