Cancer Society Calls for Improved Access to Treatment on World Cancer Day
Photo: Cancer Society of Maldives
In recognition of World Cancer Day, the Cancer Society of Maldives (CSM) has called for improved access to cancer treatment and care services.
In a press release published yesterday on the social media platform ‘X’, the NGO highlighted that the global theme of World Cancer Day from 2022-2024 is ‘Close the Care Gap’, which seeks to address the disparities in cancer care provision worldwide.
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In light of this imperative, CSM revealed that they have collaborated with the Union of International Cancer Control (UICC) – the world’s largest organization dedicated to cancer control – to identify significant inequities in access to essential cancer services, and furthering efforts towards cancer awareness and prevention.
The NGO put forth reccomendations such as fostering patient-centred care, establishing a population-based cancer registry, and implementing an effective national cancer strategy, in addition to incorporating comprehensive cancer services into national health benefit packages and enhancing health literacy and education.
World Cancer Day 2024 – Press Statement. #WorldCancerDay #CloseTheCareGap pic.twitter.com/ybdXxzVN0H— Cancer Society of Maldives (@CancerSocietyMV) February 4, 2024
World Cancer Day is marked annually on 4th February. The World Health organisation (WHO) reports that Maldives had approximately 496 new cancer cases and 264 deaths in 2020.
