Why is Cancel Cancer Africa building a free Medical Health Centre in rural Africa, and is it sustainable?
Cancer in Africa: What is our motivation, as we plan to open the centre by October 30th, 2022.
The Problem.
- About 70% of deaths from cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries.
- Hepatitis and human papillomavirus (HPV) are responsible for up to 25% of cancer cases in Africa.
- Late-stage presentation and inaccessible diagnosis and treatment are common.
- The most common causes of cancer deaths are Lungs, Liver, Colorectal, Stomach and Breast.
- Mostly, lack of awareness, cultural and religious beliefs systems, patients not seeking medical advice until it is too late, are the cause of high mortalities and morbidities.
- Shortages of infrastructure, oncologists of all kinds and the necessary technologist to support their work.
- One-third of cancers in Africa are caused by chronic infections.
The Solution.
- Relevant vaccination and awareness programs.
- Early prevention diagnosis, treatment, and palliative medical centres.
- Enhanced Imaging and Pathology.
- Radiotherapy machines.
Our Motivation.
- Between 30-50% of cancers in Africa can be prevented.
- Cancer burden can be reduced by early detection and management of patients who develop cancer.
- Many cancers have a high rate of a cure if diagnosed early and treated adequately.
Since 2016 Cancel Cancer Africa has been working in rural Nigeria and Kenya helping to raise cancer awareness. In 2017, it decided to build a medical centre in rural Edo state, Nigeria as a result of the general concerns and challenges faced by the local people. We have since employed professional nurses and medical consultants in engaging the local people. We provide relevant vaccinations during outreach programs and daily awareness and basic health checks each day.
We started building the medical health centre in 2017, and as in the photos, we have come a long way. Once completed this centre will be the first-ever free medical health centre with a speciality on cancer in Africa. Although this is a huge challenge, we have developed a long term project plan that enables us to determine our daily cost capacity. With this, we are confident that our project will be a success. Your donations help us save more lives each day.
The medical centre will run fully on donations and grants. We plan to open the centre by October 30th, 2022.