Press Release
The Cancer Alliance welcomes government’s commitment to partnership in tackling the escalating cancer crisis in South Africa – the test will be turning words into action
The Cancer Alliance, the advocacy collective for South Africa’s leading cancer organisations, has welcomed the National Cancer Meeting arranged by the National Department of Health (NDoH) in Pretoria on October 16 – 17. This meeting followed a “Call to Action”, made by the Cancer Alliance and supported by 19 civil society organisations and 10 individuals, for the establishment of a National Cancer Institute in South Africa. In addition, earlier this year we published a proposed Legal Framework for the optimal management of cancer, based on research into international best practice.
“Cancer requires an all of government approach and cannot be managed in a siloed manner. As a complex disease that requires management across the entire cancer continuum of care a National Cancer Institute has the ability to bring all the role players together” says Salomé Meyer, Director of the Cancer Alliance.
The meeting was well attended by stakeholders from all the professional societies across the cancer continuum: private sector providers and various provincial representatives, research and academic institutions, non-profit organisations and other government departments and institutional bodies linked to cancer. Participants all agreed that cancer care in South Africa is in a crisis and requires a focussed attention and urgency.
We believe this recognition is a significant move forward.
Dr Sandile Buthelezi, the DG of the National Health Department, suggested the partnership and co-ordination of the cancer response might require a structure similar than the South Africa National Aids Council (SANAC), one that is representative of all key stakeholders
Develop a national Cancer Control Plan
“We now have to ensure that we maintain the momentum by focussing on the development of a constructive National Cancer Control Plan to achieve equitable cancer care – we need to build on what we have with the existing National Strategic Framework. It is imperative that evidence-based policies and protocols goes beyond the paper they are written on – urgent implementation and robust monitoring of outcomes are non-negotiable” says Dr Liana Roodt, Director of Cancer Alliance.
Most patients in South Africa present to health services when they already have advanced stage disease. We need to do better. “Our early detection strategies need to include both screening and timely diagnosis of those with possible cancer symptoms.” says Prof Jennifer Moodley from the UCT Cancer Research Initiative and a member of the Cancer Alliance Board.
Dr Joseph Mwangi, Medical Officer for Non Communicable Diseases and Mental Health of the World Health Organisation, South Africa Office was in attendance. He was in instrumental in the establishment of a National Cancer Institute in Kenya after the enactment of their National Cancer Act. Dr Mwangi supported such an overarching coordinating mechanism indicating that it will require a short, medium and long-term strategy for implementation that is built on a foundation of political and administrative will.
“The Cancer Alliance will continue to keep equitable cancer care as a priority on the agenda of the National Department of Health”, Meyer says.
Cancer Alliance – Cancer Stakeholder meeting 16/17 October 2024
About the Cancer Alliance:
The Cancer Alliance is a collective group of cancer control non-profit organisations and cancer advocates brought together under a common mandate, to provide a platform of collaboration for cancer civil society to speak with one voice and be a powerful tool to affect change for all South African adults and children affected by cancer.
For comment or further information contact: Salomé Meyer, 0794833175, salome@canceralliance.org.za