Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu - Press statement on the commemoration of the World Cancer day

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

 Press statement on the commemoration of
            the World Cancer day

                          February 1st, 2019

Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu
Minister of State for Health – Primary Health Care

                                                   MINISTRY OF HEALTH
                                                   P.O. BOX 7272,
                                                   KAMPALA - UGANDA

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE WORLD CANCER DAY 2019
Every 4th February, Uganda joins the rest of the world to commemorate World
Cancer Day, to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention,
detection, and treatment. Nearly every family in the world has been affected by
cancer, which is now responsible for one in every six deaths globally.

Worldwide, approximately, 9.6 million people die each year from cancer. That is
more than HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis combined.

In 2018, Kampala Cancer Registry registered 32,617 new cancer cases, and
21,829 deaths. Unfortunately, many of the cancer patients come to Uganda
Cancer Institute with advanced disease when nothing much can be done to cure
it. Sensitization of the public is therefore important so that in addition to
prevention measures, cancer is diagnosed early.

This year, World Cancer Day will be held under the theme ‘I AM and I WILL’ to
resonate, inspire change and mobilize action against Cancer both nationally and
globally.

This is an empowering call-to-action urging for personal commitment and
represents the power of individual action taken now to impact the present and
future cancer prevention efforts.

Whoever you are, you have the power to reduce the impact of cancer for
yourself, the people you love and for the world. It’s time to make a personal
commitment.

Cancer can be prevented by adopting simple lifestyle changes such as;

   • Stop consumption of tobacco
   • Limit harmful use of alcohol

• Eat healthy, for example foods rich in fruits and vegetables – these foods
      are freely available in our farms and gardens
   • Engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day such as running,
      jogging, dancing etc
   • Vaccinate yourselves and your children against Hepatitis B and Human
      Papilloma Virus (HPV) to prevent cancer of the liver and cervix
      respectively

   According to current evidence, between 30% and 50% of cancer deaths could
   be prevented by modifying or avoiding key risk factors such as tobacco use,
   harmful consumption of alcohol, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets and
   obesity.

More than one third of cancer cases can be prevented. Another third can be
cured if detected early and treated properly. The Ministry of Health has
prioritized cancer control and is committed to ensuring that the communities
are educated on how to prevent cancer, access cancer screening and treatment
services including palliative care everywhere in Uganda. This commitment is
evidenced by;

   • Providing an enabling legal framework for cancer control through The
      Uganda Cancer Institute Act of 2016
   • Establishment of the Center of Excellence for cancer treatment in East and
      Central Africa at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) with support from
      African Development Bank. The need for referrals abroad for cancer
      treatment has been mitigated
   • Increased funding for the Uganda Cancer Institute to UGX 8.4 billion in
      2018/19 budget

• Increased availability and accessibility of cancer treatment medicines.
   Uganda Cancer Institute medicines supply is now at almost 100%.
• Providing vaccination against cancer of the cervix at each sub county and
   immunization post in Uganda. Current HPV vaccination is at 70%. Girls
   aged 10 years are protected from getting cancer of the cervix in future
• Enacting the tobacco control act; Tobacco is known to cause almost 60%
   of all cancers. The Government is currently in the process of enacting the
   alcohol control law
• Investment in cancer diagnostic and treatment services. Uganda Cancer
   Institute has a state of the art laboratory and imaging equipment for
   cancer diagnosis
• In addition, with support from the Indian Government, we have acquired
   a second radiotherapy machine. Government of Uganda has also
   procured the third radiotherapy machine which will be shipped into the
   country by March 2019. Construction of the bunkers to house the
   machines has been completed. This means all patients who need
   radiotherapy services will receive it in a timely manner
• UCI is now a centre of excellence in Oncology in the whole of the East
   African Region and Uganda is proud to host the East African Oncology
   Institute that trains cancer treatment specialists
• Increasing the human resources for cancer treatment. In addition to the
   best doctors present at the Uganda Cancer Institute, the Ministry of
   Health with support from African Development Bank is training an
   additional 208 cancer treatment and care specialists and researchers.
   Uganda Cancer Institute has also trained 500 health workers from district
   Local Governments and regional referral hospitals on how to educate

communities about cancer and provide cancer screening services in the
      country.
   • This financial year, 169 additional staff from Regional Referral Hospitals
      will be trained further in cancer screening and treatment.
   • Government is in the process of establishing Regional Cancer Centers in
      Gulu, Arua, Mbarara, Mbale. Mbarara Regional Cancer Center is already
      running and caring for over 20,000 cancer patients. Gulu Regional Cancer
      Center will open doors to people of the Acholi region in 2019/2020.
   • Plans are underway to extend cancer awareness and screening services at
      every Health Center III in the country.

The Government of Uganda recognizes and appreciates the role and
contribution of Uganda Cancer Society, the American Cancer Society and other
partners in the fight against cancer in Uganda. You have supported us in raising
cancer awareness, providing patient support and accommodation, counselling
services and palliative care. On behalf of Ministry of Health, we immensely
appreciate your effort.

I thank the development partners especially the International Atomic Energy
Agency, Fred Hutch Research Center and African Development Bank for their
support towards cancer control in the country.

I thank my staff here at the Ministry of Health, the management and staff of
Uganda Cancer Institute for the passion and great effort they put in to help
cancer patients. And I thank the Uganda Cancer Society for mobilizing the civil
society in the fight against cancer.

I call upon all individuals, communities, civil society and development partners
to support Government to strengthen efforts that stimulate powerful cancer
advocacy, action and accountability at every level.

I finally thank the members of the press for helping us reach the population with
cancer prevention and control messages and urge them to do more so that
cancer stops killing our people prematurely.

This year’s activities will include the Zumba dance, free cancer screening and
care on Sunday 3rd February 2019 and Monday 4th February 2019 at KCCA
grounds, Lugogo. I urge you all to join us at the venue and participate in these
activities that will enable us fight Cancer.

I wish the public peaceful World Cancer Day commemoration activities

Thank you

                           For God and My Country

Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu
Minister of State for Health – Primary Health Care
Friday, 01 February 2019