Nsambya hospital gets Shs1.5 billion cancer centre
Centenary Bank managing director Fabian Kasi (4R) hands over the new cancer centre at Nsamya Hospital to Dr Martin Nsubuga (L) and Dr Lawrence Kaggwa (2ndL). He is flanked by Mr Stephen Mwanje, the Uganda Rotary Cancer Programme chairman (2R), Eala MP Mike Sebalu and Crown beverages chief Simon Lugoloobi.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
Kampala. Cancer patients in the country now have a ray of hope after Nsambya hospital acquired a Shs1.5b cancer treatment centre yesterday.
The 36-bed facility dubbed “Rotary-Centenary Bank Cancer Centre” was handed over to St Francis Hospital Nsambya by the Uganda Rotary Cancer Programme and its partners after a three-year construction period.
According to the Uganda Rotary Cancer Programme, Past District Governor, Stephen Mwanje, the idea to construct a cancer centre was conceived in 2011 as a response to the scourge of cancer in all its forms and effects on Ugandans.
Mr Mwanje said he mobilised a number of Rotarians who gave professional expertise and used their personal networks to turn the ambitious project into reality.
“Cancer is one of the biggest health concerns in Uganda today and this centre will be a major milestone in the fight against it. Together with Centenary Bank and Crown Beverages and other partners, we are now embarking on looking for funds to purchase equipment,” Mr Mwanje said.
He added that they will also build four other cancer wards countrywide after completing a blood bank in Mengo Hospital in the next five years.
Mr Mwanje appreciated corporate companies, individuals and the public, who made contributions by participating in the various Rotary cancers that started in 2012.
While receiving the facility, Dr Martin Nsubuga, the medical director of Nsambya hospital, said the centre will offer affordable cancer screening, care and treatment.
“The hospital is going to recruit the best oncologists, pathologists, radiotherapists and other specialists to handle cancer cases,” Dr Nsubuga added.
The guest of honour, Mr Fabian Kasi, also the managing director of Centenary Bank, said the construction of the cancer ward fits well within the “Bridging the Cancer Gap initiative,” which is in line with the bank’s mission of improving the quality of life for Ugandans.
The numbers
2,800
Number of new cancers cases registered in 2012 up from 1,800 in 2011 according to the Uganda Cancer Institute. This was attributed to cancer awareness, changes in lifestyle and HIV. The cancer institute records about 200 cancer visits daily.
