MPs Raise Concern over slow access to cancer care

The Minister of Health, Dr. Ruth Aceng, has defended the government’s proposal to borrow US$18.09 million (UGX 65.923 billion) from the African Development Fund for the expansion and equipping of the Uganda Cancer Institute. She argued that the loan is essential for improving cancer care in Uganda and addressing the overwhelming workload faced by oncologists.

Dr. Aceng made these remarks during an appearance before Parliament’s National Economy Committee. She explained that the expansion is part of a larger regional project, the East Africa Centres of Excellence for Skills, in which Uganda was chosen to lead in oncology, while Tanzania and Kenya focus on cardiology and nephrology. However, Uganda’s progress has been hindered by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating additional resources.

“The number of doctors is very limited, and they are overwhelmed with work,” Dr. Aceng said. “If you visit the Uganda Cancer Institute today, you will see patients in the corridors, near washrooms—anywhere. In other countries, a doctor might see only one or two patients a day, but here, the numbers are overwhelming. This creates a strain that affects the quality of care, and that’s why we need to recruit more oncologists, train them adequately, and offer better remuneration.”

In response to concerns raised by MPs about slow access to cancer care and the high number of patients, Dr. Aceng attributed the issues to a lack of oncologists, leaving the few available professionals overburdened. She emphasized the need for more trained specialists to meet the growing demand for cancer treatment.

“Our doctors are the best, but they are working with limited resources,” she added. “In other countries, oncologists use advanced equipment, but here, our doctors rely mainly on their skills. With the right equipment, we could drastically improve cancer care. However, equipment is expensive and quickly becomes obsolete.”