All hands on board for the fight against cancer
Critical need for collaboration
The health minister emphasised that no single entity can tackle cancer alone.
With the burden of cancer continuing to increase, health systems are under further pressure as the demand for related management systems rises.The incidence of cancer has increased by an average of 12% in recent years, with breast and cervical cancer being the most common. One in five people will develop some type of cancer in their lifetime, with one in nine men and one in 12 women dying from the disease.
Health minister Kalumbi Shangula emphasised during the discussion of Namibia's national cancer control plan that no single entity can tackle cancer alone. Although the ministry has the mandate to lead processes to develop the plan, according to Shangula, this requires cooperation from all sectors and role players, including line ministries, health service providers, research and tertiary institutions, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and international partners. "This includes every Namibian, specifically those who have overcome cancer and who are living with cancer," he said.
According to Shangula, with the development of the control plan and followed by effective implementation strategies, Namibia can achieve success in the fight against the disease. He cautioned that it is critical to recognise the need for collaboration and partnerships.
'More than a word'
"Cooperation must be more than a word. This must be the principle that guides our actions. This means working together practically to ensure that our interventions and policy directions are not only well-intentioned, but that they can also be implemented effectively."
The plan must be geared to speak to the realities and experiences of people and, according to Shangula, means sharing resources, knowledge and expertise to build a strong and proactive health system capable of tackling unique cancer-related challenges facing Namibia as a nation.
The health minister encouraged participants in the discussion to tackle the above challenge with a greater sense of urgency.
"Namibia needs a control plan that enables the country to effectively prevent and tackle the impact of cancer on our society."
Cancer control is also a critical component of Namibia's strategy for non-communicable diseases which was launched in 2018. This is because of the significant negative impact it has on public health, the capacity of health systems and economic stability.
Cancer patients are treated in both the public and private sectors. The ministry has sought cabinet approval for the cervical cancer prevention vaccine that aims to prevent it.
Strategic plan
A strategic plan to eradicate cervical cancer in Namibia by 2030 has already been drawn up, while a technical committee has already evaluated the national prevention guidelines to ensure that they are in line with the current global guidelines.
According to Shangula, the prevention services will be available at existing primary health institutions. Namibia will also gradually move away from the visual examination of the uterus and the use of acetic acid to HPV DNA testing in the cervical cancer scan. The target group is 30-year-old women and women who are 25 years old and living with HIV.
The interval between scans is ten and five years for the general population and women with HIV respectively.
The HPV DNA test will begin as part of a phased approach with a population at high risk of developing cervical cancer and women who are HIV positive.
Shangula says the goal is a coverage of 70% by 2030 which is in line with the global target. For follow-up services, existing health workers in communities will be used.
Namibia has also successfully introduced and increased the treatment of pre-cancerous lesions using thermal ablation devices. Women 50 years and older are scanned and can receive same-day treatment with thermal ablation.
To speed up referrals for patients who have had a positive scan and who cannot receive the same treatment due to the lack of capacity or equipment, they are referred to the nearest health facilities. – [email protected]