How Tanzania plans to lead Africa in cancer treatment

Reports show that cervical cancer remains the leading killer among women in Tanzania, while men face high risks from prostate and oesophageal cancers.

Health experts warn that late diagnosis, limited specialised personnel, and high treatment costs have contributed to the country’s cancer mortality rates.

Yet, with bold investments, international collaboration, and the growing reputation of the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI), Tanzania is signalling its intent to reverse the trend and transform itself into a regional hub for cancer treatment.

“We want to save more lives, and our goal is clear: a 30 percent reduction in deaths within the next four years,” said ORCI Executive Director, Dr Diwani Msemo on Saturday.

Dr Msemo who was announcing the upcoming 1st International Oncology Conference in February 2026 in Dar es Salaam, added: “We now have world-class equipment that until recently was only available outside Africa. This is why patients from beyond our borders are already coming here.”

Data from the ministry of Health shows that tens of thousands of new cancer cases are reported each year. For every 100,000 people screened, nearly 68,000 present with cancer risk factors, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

Many of these patients arrive at health facilities when the disease is already advanced, limiting treatment options.

According to Head of Medical Tourism at the Ministry of Health, Dr Asha Mahita, community awareness remains one of the country’s weakest links.

“Cervical and breast cancers in women and prostate cancer in men dominate our statistics, yet most cases are preventable or treatable if caught early. We must strengthen early detection programmes alongside treatment,” she said.

Investment and transformation

Over the past four years, the government has invested more than Sh40 billion into ORCI.

This funding has expanded the institute’s radiotherapy capacity, enabled the purchase of PET-CT and MRI scanners, and supported new oncology training programmes.

ORCI is now the only facility in East and Central Africa with such advanced diagnostic tools.

Since its formal establishment in 1996, ORCI has also trained more than 90 oncologists, over 190 radiographers, and a growing cadre of oncology nurses.

“These professionals are not only serving Tanzanians but are also being sought after across East and Central Africa,” noted Dr Msemo.

He added: “This investment is bearing fruit,” he said. “We are treating patients from as far as Malawi, Zambia, and the DRC. It proves that Tanzania can lead in specialised health care.”

Central to Tanzania’s strategy is knowledge-sharing, and the upcoming International Oncology Conference in February 2026 is expected to be pivotal.

More than 600 participants including cancer experts, researchers, policymakers, and survivors from over 20 countries will gather in Dar es Salaam to discuss innovations and chart future directions.

For Tanzania, the conference is more than a commemoration of ORCI’s 30-year journey. It is a statement of intent.

“We want to use this conference to make a statement across the continent. We will be running a series of programmes, including cancer screening as well as awareness campaigns as part of our anniversary celebration,” Dr Msemo said.

A public health analyst Dr John Mallya argued that; “This meeting will put Tanzania on the global oncology map.”

He further narrated to The Citizen that, “If we showcase our facilities, our progress, and our willingness to collaborate, we can draw in more patients, more investment, and more research partnerships. It is a crucial step toward becoming a true cancer treatment hub.”

The government has made no secret of its medical tourism ambitions, identifying oncology as a flagship area. The combination of advanced technology, skilled personnel, and affordable care has the potential to attract patients who might otherwise travel to India or South Africa.

Dr Mahita emphasised that Tanzania’s value proposition is both medical and cultural.

“We can offer high-quality treatment in an environment that is culturally familiar, accessible, and cost-effective. That balance is what makes medical tourism in Tanzania viable, especially for cancer patients from neighbouring countries.”

As Tanzania prepares for the 2026 conference, the spotlight will be on ORCI’s new strategic plan (2026–2030), which lays out the roadmap to cut cancer deaths.

The plan focuses on prevention, early detection, enhanced treatment, and expanding access beyond Dar es Salaam.