Aga Khan Hospital unveils cancer care centre

Dar es Salaam. The Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam, yesterday inaugurated its state-of-the-art Cancer Care Centre (CCC) on a monumental occasion that heralds a new era in the battle against cancer in Tanzania and the broader Sub-Saharan Africa region.

The inception of the Cancer Care Centre (CCC) at Aga Khan Hospital is a pivotal outcome of the Tanzania Comprehensive Cancer Project (TCCP), an initiative that’s driven by donor funding from France and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and executed through a public-private partnership (PPP) approach.

TCCP is spearheaded by Aga Khan Health Service, Tanzania (AKHS,T), in collaboration with Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) and Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI), under the stewardship of the ministry of Health and that of the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government Authorities, PO-RALGAs).

The initiative, which embodies a unified mission to enhance cancer awareness, prevention, early detection, treatment, palliative care, and survivorship to help mitigate the staggering burden of cancer and its related deaths nationwide, gets technical support from the internationally renowned Institut Curie.

Gracing the event, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Mashaka Biteko, said the centre was a game changer for a disease that has cast a long shadow over the lives of millions of people around the world for decades, particularly those in low- and middle-income countries.

In her opening remarks, the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Aga Khan Health Services, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, said that in the face of cancer reality, it was noteworthy that there was hope in the power of collaboration, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to strengthen healthcare systems, exchange knowledge, as well as improve and expand cancer care.

She said the AKHS was grateful to the Government of Tanzania for its support in the project that enhances cancer treatment and attracts investments in the health sector.

Acknowledging the role of AFD and Institut Curie, Princess Zahra Aga Khan appreciated the French Ambassador in Tanzania, Nabil Hajlaoui, and the Country Director for AFD, Ms Céline Robert, for their partnership, visionary leadership, and steadfast dedication to the vital cause.

“I also extend my gratitude to Institut Curie and its chairman, Pr Thierry Philip, whose technical expertise and guidance have been invaluable in shaping the TCCP and guiding its implementation. The enduring legacy of Marie Curie serves as a beacon of inspiration as we strive to emulate her pioneering spirit in the fight against cancer,” she said.