Paheja Siririka
João Adriano
Health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe said the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases like cancer is evident in countries like Namibia.
“Cancer is one of the four major NCDs, with cervical, breast and prostate cancers being among the top 5 – and this calls for action. Cancer is an important public health concern globally, and it threatens the lives of many people,” stated Nangombe yesterday at the handover of funds for the 2023 Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project meeting in a speech read on his behalf.
He said cancer is among NCDs that are collectively responsible for almost 70% of all deaths worldwide, and it has increased by 67% in Sub-Saharan Africa – between 1990 and 2017.
“The ministry’s collaboration with various stakeholders is committed to preventing and controlling all NCDs. However, unhealthy consumption patterns and lifestyles are driving the emerging cancer epidemic in developing countries, which currently have more new cancer cases annually than developed countries,” stated Nangombe.
He added that unhealthy lifestyles, such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, are key factors in this epidemic.
The Cancer Apple Project was initiated by the Cancer Association of Namibia to replace the historical ‘Carnations for Cancer’ fundraiser.
Bank Windhoek bought into the concept, and it has been spearheading the apple project as part of their corporate social investment programme since 2000.
Through the sale of apples, the team has raised N$33.9 million from 2000 to 2022 to the benefit of the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN).
“The funds raised through the project support the Cancer Association’s mission to educate and screen Namibians through the National Cancer Outreach Programme, while financially vulnerable cancer patients can apply with Cancer Association Namibia for Patient Financial Assistance,” said Nangobe.
He added that Ad-hoc financial support is also extended when there is no treatment option available in Namibia, and cancer patients are referred to South Africa for treatment.
Nangombe said CAN with its partners raised funds that assisted in renovating the Dr AB May Cancer Care Centre, the paediatric oncology unit (Ward 8 West) at Windhoek Central Hospital as well as establishing the Patient Financial Assistance Programme of CAN for cancer patients.
For the period of nine months (March to November 2023), 648 patients have been assisted financially, and the total funds utilised by CAN to assist patients within the mentioned period stands at about N$1.2 million. Of the funds that were raised in 2022 and 2023, 50% will be diverted to the newly constructed Palliative Care Centre of CAN.
Bank Windhoek’s marketing executive Jacquiline Pack said, this year, they were brave and the project took on a few more dimensions with initiatives to keep the awareness of the Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project alive.
“Our partners have always made massive contributions to this project by contributing their core business activity at no cost, and keeping the price of apples at just N$5,” stated Pack.
She added that 2023 also saw the diplomatic core in Namibia, comprising the Embassy of Brazil, the British High Commission and the Angolan Embassy, join forces and contribute to sales.
“The apple sales this year surpassed our expectations, and I am happy to share that our sales went up by 18%. Compared to last year, our juice sales were 52% – up against last year’s sales as well. Similarly, the donations in the form of electronic apple purchases on our eApple website are 103% higher than last year,” shared Pack.
She said, unfortunately, the current economic climate and the increased cost of living have increased the project’s cost – primarily, the cost of apples.
“This reality is unavoidable, but keeping the apples we sell to the hero community as affordable as possible in the face of increasing food prices is essential,” said Pack.
CAN’s CEO Rolf Hansen said, this year, they decided to allocate the funds to the vision they have in partnership with the health ministry – and that is to use the funds for Palliative Care.
“We have realised that palliative care is a critical element lacking in the country. A large portion of the funds will go towards Palliative Care,” he said.
Hansen added that they already invested close to N$10 million in the development of the inpatient centre, which was set up in the hospital patient care programme at Windhoek Central Hospital.
“From next year, we will start branching out across the country into the regions to start with inpatient care at the rural hospital, as well as a Palliative Care home-based programme,” he said.
Based on the 2021/2022 cancer screenings by CAN, through the National Cancer Outreach Programme, it is evident from the results that cancer is increasing, and there is a tremendous need for education and screening in the country.
CAN said this warrants further investigation about the cancer burden in the African region and how we can prevent it (as in the case of cervical cancer) and earlier diagnosis to save lives (as in the case of breast, prostate and lymphoma cancers in addition to childhood cancers).
-psiririka@nepc.com.na
– quenteandreas10@gmail.com