WINDHOEK In an effort to extend a helping hand to those suffering from cancer in remote areas, the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) has launched its modern Mobile Cancer Clinic – “Muki 2”. Through the use of a fully-equipped mini-bus called “Muki 2″, Namibians living in hard-to-reach places can now also enjoy the services of pap smears and breast examinations by a qualified nurse. The idea of ‘Muki’ was started by the MÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¼ller family in Germany who, after the tragic death of their son due to a brain tumour, has devoted the rest of their lives to helping people suffering from cancer. ‘Muki’ is in actual fact an abbreviation of the German ‘MÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¼tter und Kind’, which means Mother and Child. ‘Muki 1’ started with the opening of a cancer ward of 1,2 million Euros in Germany, sponsored by the MÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¼ller Family, who also opened a similar ward 8 West in the Windhoek Central Hospital for cancer patients. Funds amounting to 60ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 Euros were raised by the family together with the Kavango Cultural Dance Group which visited Germany in August last year. This resulted in the creation of the ‘Muki 2’ mobile clinic in Namibia, which will now be travelling throughout the country to help cancer sufferers, especially in the rural areas. Officially launching ‘Muki 2’ (last Thursday), Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, expressed Namibia’s gratitude to the MÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚¼ller Family and the German Government for their support in the fight against cancer in Namibia. “This is a very touching story of a family who lost their child to brain cancer and who did something positive because of it by raising funds for cancer patients. “Muki 2″ is for the hard-to-reach places and for people suffering from cancer. Prevention is always better than cure,” said Kamwi. For the past 20 years, the Cancer Association of Namibia has been accommodating cancer patients free of charge at House Acacia in Windhoek. It also provides the vital service of pap smears and breast examinations for women. Kamwi urged all women to go for breast examinations and also to be shown how to do self-examinations. One of the most common causes of cancer is smoking which ultimately leads to lung cancer. Second-hand smoking is also dangerous. In view of this, Kamwi noted that the Ministry of Health and Social Services, together with the Cancer Association of Namibia and the World Health Organisation, are joining hands to ban smoking in public places. Thus, the “Tobacco Control Bill” is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly by the middle of next year.