FIVE YEARS OF WAITING ENDS

NGOCC says reopening of Cancer Diseases Hospital radiotherapy unit restores hope for patients, especially women, while urging sustained investment in accessible cancer care

By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24  -- 2-08-2026 -- The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has commended Government for recommissioning the Radiotherapy and Imaging Section at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, describing the move as a major milestone in restoring specialised cancer treatment services after a five-year closure.

NGOCC Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the reopening of the facility marks a significant step towards easing the challenges faced by cancer patients who, for years, had to endure prolonged waiting periods, costly referrals abroad or limited access to specialised treatment.

She said the restored facility, which has the capacity to serve up to 60 patients a day, will help ensure that more Zambians receive advanced cancer care within the country while reducing the financial and emotional burden on families.

“For half a decade, Zambian families carried the weight of a broken system. Patients had to be referred abroad at enormous public and personal cost, others endured prolonged waiting periods, while many were unable to access life-saving treatment altogether,” Ms. Katebe said.

She commended the Zambian Government and President Hakainde Hichilema for restoring the critical healthcare infrastructure, saying the development would help rebuild public confidence in Zambia’s ability to provide specialised medical services.

NGOCC said the reopening of the radiotherapy and imaging unit is particularly significant for women, who account for more than 60 percent of cancer patients in Zambia.

Ms. Katebe said cervical and breast cancers continue to claim the lives of many women, especially those from vulnerable communities who cannot afford travel, prolonged separation from their families or treatment outside the country.

She said access to functional local radiotherapy and imaging services represents more than a medical intervention, as it removes major economic and social barriers that have prevented many women from receiving timely healthcare.

Ms. Katebe noted that the first patient treated using the restored equipment was a woman battling cervical cancer, saying this reflects the human impact of investing in specialised healthcare services.

Beyond addressing domestic healthcare needs, NGOCC said the development presents an opportunity for Zambia to position itself as a regional centre for specialised healthcare and medical tourism within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African continent.

The organisation said strengthening cancer treatment infrastructure, alongside other specialised investments such as the National Heart Hospital and new cancer treatment facilities being developed in Ndola and Livingstone, could help Zambia attract patients from neighbouring countries while improving access to advanced care closer to home.

However, NGOCC said the sustainability of these investments will depend on continued commitment to quality healthcare delivery.

The organisation called for adequate staffing, regular maintenance of specialised equipment, affordable treatment options, strong referral systems and deliberate measures to ensure rural and vulnerable populations are able to access cancer services.

NGOCC also welcomed ongoing efforts to improve the availability of medicines and medical supplies through the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), saying such interventions complement investments in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

The organisation has since urged Government to sustain the momentum by ensuring that specialised healthcare facilities are fully operational, affordable and accessible to all citizens, particularly low-income and rural women.

NGOCC further called for expanded cervical and breast cancer screening programmes across all provinces to strengthen early detection and prevention efforts.

“As Zambia moves towards becoming a regional healthcare destination, no woman, regardless of her location or economic status, should be left behind in accessing quality and timely healthcare,” Ms. Katebe said.