KIGALI, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda on Tuesday joined the rest of the World to observe World Cancer Day by formally unveiling radiotherapy cancer centre that will offer specialized treatment to cancer, according to the Rwandan ministry of health.
"The radiotherapy cancer centre comes as a relief to cancer patients in our country since it has the capacity to 150 patients per day with the utilization of two radiotherapy machines," said Diane Gashumba, Rwandan minister of health while speaking at the inauguration of the centre at Rwanda Military Hospital in the country's capital Kigali.
"Today is a special day we welcome the new radiotherapy cancer centre that will complement already existing chemotherapy cancer services in our country," she said.
According to her, the facility provides cancer treatment using radiotherapy to patients within the country and from the region.
The radiotherapy centre is the most advanced of its kind in East Africa and will provide comprehensive cancer treatment and supportive care for patients with late stage diagnosis, she added.
"The cancer centre brings good news to cancer patients as it will reduce the costs incurred while seeking treatment abroad," said the minister.
Rwanda has been spending close to 1 million U.S dollars on international transfers for radiotherapy treatment while with private insurances, only less than 10 percent of the population in need was able to access treatment before the establishment of the radiotherapy cancer centre, according to the Rwandan ministry of health.
"Rwandans will no longer have to travel abroad for these services for the new facility is incorporated with the latest oncology technology," said the minister.
She pointed out that low survival cancer rates in Rwanda are mainly due to insufficient awareness that leads to late or no medical consultation.
Rwanda's president Paul Kagame inaugurated the radiotherapy cancer centre.
Speaking at the event, Pacifique Mugenzi, director-general of the centre, said that radiotherapy cancer centre is equipped with two Linear Accelerators from Elekta, and will be offering advanced treatment techniques with VMAT (Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy) to all clients.
He said that the centre started offering services in March 2019 and more than 350 from within the country and neighboring countries have received treatment.
Speaking to Xinhua, Christian Ntizimira, a Rwandan palliative care expert said that radiotherapy cancer centre brings good news to cancer patients in Rwanda because they will be able to access treatment within the country without incurring huge costs travelling abroad.
"Giving hope to cancer patients is the most important when treating cancer. We thank the Rwandan government for coming with such a great facility that addresses the emotional, physical, and fiscal strain of treating cancer," said Ntizimira who is also one of the founding members of the Rwanda Palliative Care and Hospice Organization.
World Cancer Day is an international day marked on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. Enditem
