The government has stepped up efforts to improve cancer detection and treatment services through major investments in modern diagnostic equipment, including 700 Digital X-Ray machines and 97 CT Scan machines installed in health facilities across the country.
The move is expected to improve early diagnosis of diseases, allowing patients to access timely treatment and increasing the chances of better health outcomes.
Deputy Minister for Health Dr Florence Samizi said the investments demonstrate the government’s commitment to strengthening services for non-communicable diseases, particularly cancer, which remains a growing public health challenge.
Dr Samizi made the remarks yesterday in Dar es Salaam while representing Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa at the opening of the International Conference of the Society of Neurological Oncology of Sub-Saharan Africa (SNOSSA).
She said Tanzania has achieved another milestone in cancer care following the installation of a modern PET-CT machine equipped with a Cyclotron at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI).
The technology is expected to improve cancer diagnosis by helping doctors identify diseases at an early stage, develop more accurate treatment plans and monitor patients’ response to treatment.
“Government has reached another important stage in strengthening cancer services through the installation of this advanced PET-CT technology, which will improve early detection and treatment planning,” Dr Samizi said.
Cancer continues to pose a major health challenge in Tanzania. Data from GLOBOCAN 2022 shows the country records about 45,000 new cancer cases annually, while nearly 29,000 people die from the disease every year.
Dr Samizi said more than 70 percent of cancer patients are diagnosed when the disease has already reached advanced stages, making treatment more difficult and reducing chances of recovery.
She said brain and spinal cord cancers require highly specialised medical expertise despite affecting fewer people compared with other cancer types.
“In Tanzania, brain and spinal cord cancers account for about 198 new cases and 166 deaths annually,” she said.
Beyond investing in equipment, the government is also focusing on expanding the number of specialised healthcare professionals to meet growing demand for cancer services.
Dr Samizi said the Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan Scholarship programme has already supported more than 6,000 health workers to pursue specialised training in different medical fields, helping address shortages of experts in oncology and neurological care.
She said the SNOSSA conference provides an important opportunity for local and international experts to share research, exchange experiences and develop strategies to improve the management of brain and spinal cord cancers in Africa.
“The discussions from this conference will help strengthen cooperation and improve the quality of cancer services,” she said.
The Ministry of Health said it will continue working with professional associations, universities, research institutions and development partners to improve cancer screening, treatment, cancer registration and research.
The government also plans to use recommendations from the conference to guide future interventions aimed at reducing cancer-related deaths and improving access to quality healthcare services for Tanzanians.
