The Medicines Research and Access Platform (MEDRAP) has challenged government to expedite the completion of rehabilitation and modernization of the Cancer Disease Hospital in Lusaka.
MEDRAP Executive Director, Liyoka Liyoka, says this will address the huge costs government has incurred in the treatment of cancer patients abroad.
Mr. Liyoka said that there is also need to place more premium on the investment of cancer treatment, by optimizing the availability of cost effective and efficacious chemotherapeutic agents, through stakeholder alliances and lobbying for better market prices.
“The 2025 National budget has not allocated any funds for the treatment of cancer patients abroad so there is need to ensure the cancer hospital is operational next year,” said Mr. Liyoka.
And Mr. Liyoka has hailed government for allocating approximately K 23.17 billion to the health sector in the 2025 National Budget.
He said that the allocation of the K23.17 billion to the health sector, which represents a 10.7 % of the total budget, is a step in the right direction.
Mr Liyoka says with the 10.7% budget allocation to the health sector, the country is on the right trajectory of meeting its Abuja declaration commitment, signed in April 2001 that seeks to allocate at least 15% of their annual budgets to the health sector.
Angel Kasabo
