KAMPALA: Cancer patients in Uganda are paying around UGX 300,000 (equivalent to USD 80), for each visit to the cancer institute, a new study reveals.
This has been revealed by a study done by Makerere University in collaboration with the Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Research Administration (SICRA) and Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) with funding from the Government of the Republic of Uganda through Makerere University Research and Innovation fund (Mak-RiF).
This high cost of cancer treatment could pose a significant challenge to cancer patients in Uganda, especially those from low-income backgrounds, as they may struggle to afford the necessary treatment.
Conducted in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, this study titled: “Impoverishing and Catastrophic Health Expenditure on Cancer Care among Persons affected by Cancer in Uganda” is among the first few in the country to estimate the catastrophic health expenditure among cancer patients receiving care in Uganda.
The study reveals that patients suffering from Prostate and Colorectal Cancers were the most affected, with their out-of-pocket expenditure greater than 600,000 per visit. Out-of-pocket expenditure refers to all direct payments for healthcare or services from household income or savings that patients incur at the point they receive health services. This high cost implies the need for better access to affordable cancer treatment in Uganda. This is particularly important given that cancer incidence rates in Uganda have been increasing in recent years.
According to the Uganda Cancer Institute, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and prostate cancer are the most common types of cancer in Uganda, accounting for over 50% of all cancer cases in the country. Other types of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and Kaposi’s sarcoma, are also prevalent in Uganda.
“In light of these statistics, it is crucial that Uganda invests in cancer prevention and treatment programs to reduce the incidence of cancer and ensure that cancer patients have access to affordable and quality care,” says a medical practitioner at UCI.
He adds that this could include measures such as promoting cancer screening and early detection, expanding access to affordable cancer treatments, and investing in cancer research and education.
“Such efforts could help to improve cancer outcomes in Uganda and reduce the burden of cancer on individuals and the healthcare system,” he adds.
For more on this story, see: https://bit.ly/3nIDuQC
