State-of-the-art cancer facility to be unveiled at Mbarara Referral Hospital

Mbarara, (UG):- Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) have revealed that plans are underway to establish a fully-fledged comprehensive cancer facility, decentralizing cancer services and tackling the growing cancer burden.

This move is part of the country’s National Development Plan III (NDPIII), which aims to establish four regional cancer centres in Gulu, Mbale, Arua, and Mbarara.

Dr. Jackson Orem, Executive Director of the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), revealed that Mbarara will receive special attention due to its high patient volume.

According to Orem, MRRH has been providing cancer services for over five years, making it the second health facility in the country to offer such services after UCI. Despite challenges, the hospital has made significant strides in cancer care, with over 1,000 new patients received annually and 3000 in care.

New facility: A game changer in cancer care.

The new facility, set to open in two years, will be built on land provided by Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).

“This hospital and the surrounding catchment area have benefited from the presence of a cancer unit, and we are happy that there are plans to bring the whole physical infrastructure and complete treatment modalities here,” said Dr Deus Twesigye, Senior Consultant General Surgeon and Acting Hospital Director.

Here, the cancer unit has been exerting pressure on other departments, such as imaging and laboratory tests, due to the high volume of patients.

Cancer, a noncommunicable disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissues remains a public health concern in Uganda.

Statistically, UCI puts cancer frequency at 125.4 per 100,000 among males. Yet, the number among females is slightly higher at 134.6 per 100,000 women in the central region.

 Mbarara district alone estimates 109.8 cases per 100,000 males vis-à-vis  91.9 cases per 100,000 females studies reveal. The most common cancers include the prostate, oesophagus, stomach, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and liver in males, and cervix uteri(cervical cancer), breast, liver, and ovary in females.

Although studies were only focused on the district, a qualitative study across western Uganda could reveal shocking revelations.

But, with the establishment of the Mbarara Regional Cancer Center and other regional facilities will be a crucial step in combating the cancer menace, which claims over 20,000 Ugandan lives annually as per previous studies. 

This will further improve access to cancer treatment as patients receive the care they deserve, bringing hope to those affected by this devastating disease. 

It is worth noting that the state-of-the-art facility will revolutionize the hospital’s approach to cancer treatment, offering a wide range of specialized services under one roof. 

With its advanced diagnostic equipment, modern surgical suites, and dedicated chemotherapy and radiation therapy units, the cancer centre will provide patients with a one-stop-shop for all their cancer care needs. 

This integrated approach will streamline patient care, reduce wait times, and improve treatment outcomes. 

Moreover, the facility’s design prioritizes patient comfort and dignity, providing a conducive environment for patients and their families.

By elevating the standard of cancer care, this new structure will not only change the face of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital whose name in providing super specialized services beyond its status is already striking but also position it as a leading cancer treatment in the region, attracting patients from across Uganda and beyond.