On Tuesday, President Dr Lazarus Chakwera shared an ambitious plan to set up 500 cervical cancer centres across Malawi by 2030.
Chakwera announced the official opening of the International Blantyre Cancer Centre (IBCC).
The IBCC is the brainchild of Thomson Mpinganjira, who is also the Chairperson of the institution.
According to Mpinganjira, the idea for the IBCC came from his own experience, his late wife, Barbara, spent three months at a South African Hospital while he spent the period at a hotel as she was seeking treatment for Gallbladder Cancer.
The personal experience motivated Mpinganjira to spare other Malawians from the challenges his wife faced in accessing specialised healthcare, therefore, he envisioned IBCC as a beacon of hope in the fight against cancer.
During the inauguration, Mpinganjira expressed gratitude for President Chakwera’s positive attitude towards the cancer fight. He added that it is the first time a Head of State has inaugurated one of his projects.
Speaking during the ceremony Dr Chakwera emphasized the importance of having the right equipment to win the battle against cancer.
According to President Chakwera, the inauguration of IBCC is proof of collaborative efforts to address healthcare challenges, with the hope of making a lasting impact on the lives of Malawians battling cancer.
The ceremony was attended by Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima, Cabinet Ministers, and other government officials.
Valued at over K9.6 billion, IBCC is positioned as an advancement in the nation’s battle against cancer.
Currently, the centre’s operation can treat 30 radiotherapy and 10 chemotherapy patients daily.
