LILONGWE, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Malawi's National Cancer Center officially opened on Wednesday, marking the end of decades of referring cancer cases to India, South Africa, Tanzania, and other countries for treatment that often came with hefty costs.
Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera inaugurated the center in Lilongwe, the country's capital. The facility is expected to serve not only Malawi but also the southern African region.
The new cancer center, the first of its kind in Malawi, features high-tech equipment, including six treatment bunkers, and will treat cancer patients with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The Malawian leader also described the facility as a "beacon of hope" that will enable the country to save millions of dollars and thousands of lives.
According to Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, the Malawian government used to spend about 15,000 U.S. dollars per cancer patient for treatment abroad, excluding the costs of air tickets and accommodation for both the patient and their guardian.
With the opening of the new cancer center, which can accommodate and treat up to 100 patients daily, Malawi will be able to provide free treatment to more patients, easing the financial burden on both the government and families of cancer patients.
The facility was co-funded by the OPEC Fund for International Development and the Malawian Government, according to the State House of Malawi.
