Miriam Mutebi: Effective cancer care in Africa hinges on robust policy frameworks

Miriam Mutebi posted the following on LinkedIn:

“Effective cancer care in Africa hinges on robust policy frameworks, specifically through well-implemented National Cancer Control Plans (NCCPs).

These plans provide a roadmap for how countries can address the growing burden of cancer. However, many nations have beautifully designed NCCPs that never see full implementation.

The primary obstacle? Lack of funding.

Most low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) spend less than 5% of their GDP on health, far below the global average, making comprehensive cancer care a challenge. Beyond simply having a cancer control program, there must be actionable strategies, grounded in enabling laws.

For example, Kenya introduced a Cancer Act in 2012 that provides the legislative framework for the decentralization of health services, including cancer testing and treatment in the country and formally recognizes cancer as a national health issue. However, acknowledging the problem is only the first step—real progress requires an implementation plan backed by investments.

As co-chair of the Kenya National Cancer Taskforce and through AORTIC-Africa, we work to unite clinicians, policymakers, researchers, and patient advocates to drive impactful cancer policy across the continent.

To date, we have been instrumental in advocating for the implementation of NCCPs and pushing for sustainable funding models to ensure long-term cancer care solutions. We are now working with the International Cancer Control Program (ICCP) to analyze our current African data on NCCPs.

Cancer policies must cover the entire continuum of care, from diagnostics to treatment to survivorship. Policymakers play a pivotal role in drafting strategic plans, but their efforts must be supported by advocacy. Some of our AORTIC members are policymakers, who currently support the drafting and implementation of Cancer Control Plans in different parts of Africa.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of healthcare systems globally and across Africa. While COVID itself took many lives, in Africa, many more people died due to disruptions in essential health services, including oncology care. Oncology units in some countries for example were shut down, and cancer patients were forced to wait longer for treatment, leading to worsened outcomes.

This stark reality underscored the need for resilient health systems that can withstand crises, and continue providing critical services.

As AORTIC, we will continue our ongoing efforts in shaping robust cancer policies, pivotal to reducing the continent’s cancer burden and securing better outcomes for patients.”

Source: Miriam Mutebi/LinkedIn

Miriam Mutebi is a Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. She is the President of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), and past president for Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO) and on the Board of Directors of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). She is the co-founder of the Pan African Women’s Association of Surgeons and is part of the Kenya Association of Women Surgeons. She is an avid supporter for the education and support for women, especially in surgery and she aims to provide mentorship for women in surgery and to improve women’s health and surgical care in Africa. She is currently pursuing a pilot’s license in order to extend breast care services to marginalized areas.