CAN makes significant investments
The Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) recovered despite a financial drop of N$262 718 in 2023 to achieve an operating surplus of N$491 343.CAN's chief executive, Rolf Hansen, says the recovery is due to fundraising opportunities after the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Hansen, the development of the N$10.2 million palliative care centre contributed to the surplus seen in the past two financial years.
However, CAN's annual revenue which started at N$11 million remains low with the pre-pandemic average standing at N$16 million.
"Despite this, CAN continues to make significant social investments in particular the national cancer outreach programme, temporary accommodation for patients from outside Windhoek (House Acacia and CHICA), as well as the financial assistance fund programme for patients who last year received N$1 million in support," Hansen said.
Covid-19 presented several challenges and expected companies to adapt to a new normal. Still, Hansen says CAN's efforts have been effective and have led to financial improvement.
He referred to the opening of the community care center with expanding clinic services, the completion of the palliative care center for improved patient care, the strengthening of CAN's Erongo Centre to include a regional hub with clinic and palliative care services, as well as the expansion of the breast clinic program in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Services. All these efforts aim to fight cancer in Namibia.
According to Hansen, CAN's strategic partnerships with role players and the support of organisations will be an essential focus for the 2024-25 financial year and beyond. The partnerships aim to capture and strengthen existing programs.
"We hope to develop inclusive policies for national cancer control in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, advocate that cancer is a notifiable disease and also decentralize cancer care as much as possible," he said. – [email protected]