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Cancer is a leading cause of a death in the developing countries and is a now major public health problem in Uganda, which has a very high prevalence of cancer. In 2018, for example (see
http://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/populations/800-uganda-fact-sheets.pdf), there were 31,617 new cases; 21,829 deaths; and 56,238 prevalent cases in a population of about 44.27million). Prevalence in Uganda is especially high in the following cancers: uterus, prostate, breast, Kaposi's sarcoma, oesophagus, stomach, liver, ovaries, and colorectum. There are several challenges Uganda faces in tackling this enormous challenge and early diagnosis and proper treatment approach are important.
Project objectives, working with Bethesda Medical Center:
1. Initiate mass screening for the female organ cancers such as cervical cancer
2. Supply equipment to start the laparoscopy cancer surgery unit
3. Provide hands on laparoscopic training for medical students/surgeons
One of the staff members is a surgeon who trained, and practiced laparoscopic surgery in the USA for over 10 years and will play a pivotal role in laparoscopic surgery at a reasonable cost as well as train medical students/surgeons.
Few facilities in Uganda conduct this sort of surgery and many patients especially those with cancer often seek care overseas and get this procedure done at an exorbitant cost (for those who can afford it). In most cases families are driven into impoverishment because of the catastrophic health expenditure; and those without the means simply give up.
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