Cancer Project to benefit 1.7 million Tanzanians

Burden of cancer morbidity and mortality in Tanzania to be reduced

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 16 December 2019 - To combat the rise in cancers and enhance comprehensive cancer care in Tanzania, the Government of Tanzania, the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), and the French Development Agency (AFD) today signed a grant agreement and memoranda of understanding related to an innovative Public Private Partnership project of 38 billion shillings (approximately €13.3 million).

With the global rise in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, cancer is becoming an increasingly important public health issue. Tanzania and other developing countries are disproportionately affected by cancer, where a dramatic rise in cancer incidence and mortality is seen.

The rise in cancer places an enormous burden on the Dar es Salaam-based Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI), which until 2014 was the only public cancer hospital responsible for serving the country’s 55 million inhabitants. Despite the addition of oncology services at Bugando Medical Center (BMC) in Mwanza, the number of cancer cases, usually presenting at late stages, continues to rise. Significant investments into each component of the cancer continuum from prevention, screening and early detection, continuing into diagnostics, treatment as well as palliative care and survivorship are needed to strengthen the quality of cancer care in Tanzania.

To address challenges facing cancer care in the country, Tanzania Comprehensive Cancer Project (TCCP) was aimed at strengthening and expanding the quality of access and the capacity of cancer care services through an innovative public private partnership (PPP) initiative.

For more information:

Olayce S. Lotha
[email protected]
+255 717 516 650

Mrs. Bérénice OREYO-PIERRONNET
[email protected]
+255 683 68 19 88/ +255 769 18 45 02