Newslex Point News in Uganda, Uganda news
Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has registered increased cases of cancer this covid season. UCI Executive Director Dr Jackson Orem says cancer has more than doubled from the previous years incidence this covid pandemic.
“Cancer is on the rise. Cumulative statistics indicates 350 cancer cases per 100,000 population from previous 2010 150 cases per 100,000 population,” Orem said.
Orem however cast doubt of cancer control since most people do not seek care and treatment at Uganda Cancer Institute.
” UCI registers 7500 cases annually but this is a fraction of cancer patients accessing treatment. Majority of cancer patients do not access care at central cancer Institute, “Orem explained.
To address the anomaly, Orem says UCI will soon build regional cancer centres in Mbale, Mbarara, Gulu and Arua to expand cancer care and treatment to most in need.
The Uganda Cancer Institute is Uganda’s only referral cancer treatment care centre that has contributed tremendously to research and care of cancer patients world wide since its inception in 1967.
Cancer Services in Uganda
Orem stresses that Cancer affects everyone in different ways and every one has the power to take action to reduce the impact of the disease on individuals, families, and communities.
There is an increasing burden of cancer in the country. Its estimated that every thousand people are diagnosed with cancer.
UCI believes in prevention as one of the cost effective ways of fighting cancer. Evidence shows that 1/3 of all cancers are preventable, 1/3 can be cured and 1/3 can be treated with palliation
Plans
Orem says UCI is yet to establish National Reference Laboratory for cancer with funding from government amounting to shs7.3 billion.
The laboratory once fully functional will become the reference entity for both research and diagnosis of tumours across East Africa.
It will also cut down on expenditure by individuals who seek sophisticated tests from outside the region.
Zaitun Nalukwago Communication Officer Palliative Care Association of Uganda, says although Palliative care forms critical component in cancer care prevention, there is still a significant unmet need for palliative care and pain relief services.
According to her, currently only 11% of those who need pain control within wider context of palliative care access it in Uganda.
The Health Sector Development plan 2016 _2020 also shows that Hospice and palliative care services are being offered in only 4.8%of the public hospitals.
Zaitun says government continues to pay for the manufacture of oral liquid morphine and the procurement of other essential drugs for palliative care through the national medical stores.
But on good note Zaitun notes that Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery a premier public nursing institution commenced an advanced diploma in palliative care nursing adding that this will increase the number of human resources in health with palliative care knowledge.
Check also;
- Ebola Virus Outbreak Hits Democratic Republic Of Congo Again
- WHO Announces More deadly Stage Of The Pandemic Yet To Set In
- 5 Other Pandemic Diseases That Killed Millions Of People In The Past
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![[dropcap]A[/dropcap] section of women in Bugongo parish and Nawangaiza parish in Nawandala Sub County, Iganga District have decried the near-impossible terms set for them to access GROW funds. They have now petitioned their woman member of parliament for Iganga Hon. Kauma Sauda Alibaawo to ask the government for revised terms and conditions. This is to enable them to benefit from the program. The disgruntled women accuse the implementers of the program of charging the money. They are also asking for their land titles and land agreements. They said that such properties are governed by their husbands. These, therefore want the government through their woman MP to intervene and revise the requirements for one to benefit. The women were on Wednesday at Namabwere primary school in Nawandala Sub County. They had gathered in their respective groups to receive over 300 chickens from Hon Alibaawo in her campaign to improve the livelihood of women in Iganga district. Each group was given 50 chicken as start-up capital in their journey to prosperity. Read what some leaders said; Ms Naigambi Lydia from Nawandala Trading Centre says, “They solicited money from us through opening bank accounts and depositing Shs80,000. They also asked for land titles and land agreements from us yet we don’t have such things. I was informed that I needed to have a business with a capital of Shs4m yet my capital was very small.” The chairperson Kisoboka Saving Group in Nawandala Ms. Nakagolo Faith said they were not able to join the program. This is given the many conditions attached. She also asked their woman MP to raise their concerns to the relevant offices. The MP condemned the mode of implementation of the program. She cited that it has turned to benefit the well-off class of women other than the intended group. She further asked the government to intervene saying the current strings attached to the programme are very tight to accommodate a common woman. GROW project is a Government of Uganda initiative that arose out of the need to respond to the needs of women entrepreneurs. This is especially those who want to grow their businesses, sustain their self-employment and create more jobs. Check Also; Iganga District NRM Leaders Urge Museveni To Fulfill Election Promises Of 2021 International Women's Day: Celebrating Progress Towards Equality](https://i0.wp.com/newslexpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Iganga-women-decry-tough-terms-to-access-GROW-funds-e1731738339732.jpg?resize=300%2C160&ssl=1)
