Uganda Cancer Institute in need of USD20m to construct regional centers

By Olivia Nabaggala

5^th Feb 2024

The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) seeks USD20 million to construct and operationalize regional cancer centers across the country.

These will be constructed in Mbale, Arua and Mbarara.

This has been disclosed to the press at the Uganda Media Centre by the Executive Director Dr. Jackson Orem saying that they want to see that the regional cancer centers help to reduce the increasing number of patients suffering from cancer to move to UCI at Mulago.

He also disclosed that lack of regional cancer centers makes patients to present themselves at the hospital late though some lack awareness and capacity to diagnose thus emphasizing that as of now they have about 90% availability of drugs that treat cancer.

The Head of Research and Training at the UCI Dr. Nixon Niyonzima revealed that 34000 patients are estimated to have cancer every year and of these between 700-800 patients get treatment at UCI Mulago and 12000 get treatment at Mbarara cancer centre.

He also disclosed that cervical cancer, prostate cancer are the most dangerous types discovered and 10% of the new cancer patients are children thus revealing efforts made to curb the increasing number that include expanding the UCI centre beds from 149-353 and is yet to be commissioned.

Dr. Niyonzima also revealed that infections and genetic predisposition are the major causes of cancer in children.

Dr. Alfred Jatho, the Head of Community Cancer Service department at UCI revealed how cancers can be prevented that include among others taking fruits and vegetables, physical exercise, avoiding an environment filled with smoke.

All these have been revealed as the country commemorates the world cancer month with the day being commemorated on 4th February every year and this year is driven under the theme close the cancer gap.

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