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Christopher Kang’ombe, the Member of Parliament for Kamfinsa, has called for an increased budgetary allocation under the Ministry of Health to improve cancer treatment in Zambia.
He expressed concern over the inadequate support for cancer patients who need to travel abroad for treatment.
Kang’ombe criticised the current situation, noting that out of 800 patients on the waiting list for overseas cancer treatment, the government was only able to send 20 at present.
“It is unacceptable,” Kang’ombe said in a statement issued in Kitwe on Sunday, questioning why the government is sending patients abroad instead of equipping local hospitals.
“I am imagining the panic from the affected families that are not able to meet expenses on their own to get their loved ones to proper health facilities abroad,” he added, highlighting the emotional and financial strain on families.
The Kamfinsa lawmaker challenged the government to disclose the funds required to provide adequate cancer treatment facilities within Zambia.
He urged the government to reveal how much should be allocated to the Ministry of Health to urgently address the needs of the remaining 780 cancer patients.
“I am aware that optimum cancer treatment demands a combination of different modalities, which Zambia cannot provide. Basic surgery to a certain extent can be done in a number of hospitals in Zambia, but it is not sufficient,” Kang’ombe stated.
He pointed out that radiotherapy is not available to all patients who need it, underscoring the urgent need for proper equipment.
Kang’ombe also noted that targeted chemotherapy remained unavailable, which may continue unless the cancer hospital in Lusaka received proper funding.
“My commitment is that as Parliament opens on the 14th of September 2024 and the National Budget is presented, I will focus a lot of attention on the budget line for cancer treatment,” Kang’ombe pledged, emphasizing his dedication to ensuring the government addresses the long waiting lists for cancer treatment locally.
Kang’ombe also stressed that improving local cancer treatment facilities would help alleviate the burden on patients and reduce the dependency on overseas medical care, urging swift action to meet the pressing needs of cancer patients across the country.
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