[Cameroon] Poverty Remains a Major Problem in Cancer Treatment

from All Africa

Bongben Leocadia

The Minister of Public Health, Urbain Olanguena Awono, describing cancer as a major public health problem has identified the environment as a key concern for patients in Cameroon.

The Minister made the statement during the signing of a partnership memorandum on the control of cancer with the Cameroon government and the International Network For Cancer Treatment And Research, INCTR, a Belgian based NGO at the Ministry of Public Health in Yaounde on April 5. Urbain Olanguena Awono signed for the government while Ian Magrath signed for INCTR.

Regretting that the cost of cancer drugs is too high for cancer patients who are so poor, the minister stated that the introduction of the Hepatitis B vaccine in the Expanded Programme of Immunization is a move to prevent liver cancer. Besides, he said funds from the HIPC would be channelled to purchase drugs and subsidize surgical operations at 50 percent for patients.

He said the convention is timely as far as the building of networks of cancer control are concerned, adding that it will facilitate the implementation of the programme and address shortcomings as well as give a new impetus to the Cancer Control Programme.

Dr Ian Magrath signing for INCTR said the partnership stipulated the duties of partners, of which INCTR is to put up a liaison office in Yaounde and train staff designated by the ministry of Public Health that would also take the lead in the sensitisation of the public.

He said INCTR could not provide everything about cancer but stated that the most important thing is to take the first step adding that the results of the partnership is what matters.

Pr Doh Anderson Sama, Permanent Secretary of the National Committee for the Control of Cancer, NCCC and facilitator of the convention in his presentation said the prevalence of cancer is due to infection in the liver, cervices and stomach.

He disclosed that 50 percent of cancer patients are found in developing countries and that the number is likely to increase by 2015. In Cameroon, 12,000 new cases are witnessed yearly, with an 8 percent mortality rate he disclosed, saying that tobacco and alcohol related cancers could be prevented while calling for proper utilization of resources. He stated that only 5 percent of global resources is channelled to cancer control and decried the lack of resources.

He disclosed that the objective of the NCCC is to promote public awareness, early diagnosis, effective therapy, specialised training, mobilise resources and to advise government on legislation.