ZANZIBAR intends to build a state-of-the-art cancer hospital to address the growing cancer burden on the islands.

Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, the Health minister, made this affirmation when meeting with a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) here lately, noting that the two institutions will be linked with the new hospital, to provide a range of cancer treatments, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgical services.

The hospital will be a major step towards reducing the pains of cancer patients who currently face challenges accessing advanced treatment options on the islands.

“We are fully aware of the growing burden that cancer is placing on our community, and we are committed to ensuring that our people have access to the best possible care,” the minister affirmed, highlighting that the new hospital will not only provide state-of-the-art treatment but will also be equipped with modern facilities to train healthcare professionals, particularly in radiology, to enhance Zanzibar capacity to fight the disease.

Prof Peter Knoll, an advisor with IAEA, acknowledged that the agency will collaborate with Zanzibar to equip medical professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage and treat cancer effectively.

The minister emphasized that the new cancer hospital will significantly reduce the need for patients to seek treatment abroad, in offering patients timely access to specialized services, particularly radiotherapy, “which has been in high demand but difficult to access locally.”

The hospital will be part of Zanzibar’s broader strategy to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure, which has also seen improvements in maternal health and infectious disease prevention, he stated, pointing at setting up the cancer hospital as among the government’s top priorities, as part of its vision to provide quality and affordable healthcare services to all Zanzibar residents.

The government is expanding cancer awareness programmes to educate the public on early detection and prevention, he said, stressing that raising awareness about cancer and encouraging early diagnosis is key to reduce the number of advanced cancer cases that we see,” he said.

A dedicated cancer hospital is expected to alleviate the strain on existing health services and provide much-needed relief for families battling cancer, he added.