Tanzania's President Orders Investigation into Rising Childhood Cancer Cases
Tanzania's President Orders Investigation into Rising Childhood Cancer Cases
Cancer and heart diseases, once considered adult illnesses, now affect children in growing numbers, Samia Suluhu Hassan said at the inauguration of a new radiotherapy center at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) in Moshi.
"Researchers must dig deeper and help us understand what is driving this trend," she said, warning it is becoming an increasingly serious public health concern.
The new $2.1 million facility will serve patients from northern Tanzania and neighboring countries, reducing travel to Dar es Salaam.
KCMC receives over 9,400 cancer patients annually, with 65% requiring radiotherapy. The center is expected to serve about 1,100 patients initially, with capacity expanding to 3,900 once fully operational.
President Hassan also urged Tanzanians to embrace early cancer screening and called for intensified public awareness campaigns.
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