As part of broader cancer control efforts, including the development of its National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP), the Government of Sierra Leone is planning the establishment of the country’s first cancer treatment hospital – a radiotherapy facility. To support the country’s efforts, and help tackle low cancer survival rates, more than 40 government and civil society stakeholders convened for a national workshop to develop the NCCP.
Meeting in the capital Freetown over three days this month, workshop participants worked closely with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) in drafting the NCCP, focusing on five key areas: diagnosis and treatment, governance, prevention and early detection, palliative care, and strategic information and surveillance. They were guided by experts from the IAEA, WHO-AFRO, and the WHO Sierra Leone Country Office, as well as by an expert from Zambia, demonstrating effective south-south cooperation.
“In order to achieve non-communicable disease (NCD) targets in Sierra Leone by 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, there must be a greater emphasis on setting realistic priorities, robust costing of cancer plans and sustained budgeting for cancer programs,” said Mustapha Kabba, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at MoHS. “We look forward to the development of a cancer strategic plan that is cost effective and that will stand the test of time.”
The most common cancers in Sierra Leone are breast, prostate, cervix uteri, liver and stomach, and associated mortality rates are increasing. To lower the number of cancer deaths, Sierra Leone is prioritizing the establishment of a radiotherapy facility for cancer diagnosis and treatment, and developing a qualified workforce.