Mozambique needs US$35 million to rebuild, modernise and expand the oncology service facilities destroyed by a fire, authorities said today, with almost ten countries, including Portugal, having already pledged their support.
Preliminary figures were presented today in Maputo by Elias Guto, Director of the Radiotherapy Service at Maputo Central Hospital (HCM), the country’s largest healthcare facility, during a solidarity conference to mobilise financial, material and technical resources to restore the Oncology Service facilities, which were affected by a major fire on 1 November.
“Of the estimated cost of restructuring the services, the largest expenses will be for infrastructure and equipment because, as I said, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine equipment involve apparently high initial costs,” Guto said.
According to the official, the planned investments are justified by the quality of services and the need to ensure complementary treatment, particularly considering the integrated package of services they intend to provide, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.
According to Guto, preliminary estimates put the amount required at around US$35 million (€31.2 million) for the reconstruction of infrastructure, hospital security, and the installation of laboratory and diagnostic capacity, particularly to establish an appropriate, digitalised facility, which would be a new development.
He added that the immediate proposal necessarily includes clinical oncology, haematology, radiotherapy, paediatric oncology and nuclear medicine services for cancer treatment.
“With all these components supported by an appropriate digital records system, I believe this is not only an acceptable proposal, but the right one to put forward at this stage as we seek to rebuild,” he said.
According to Guto, the reconstruction process will also require the addition of two more linear accelerators to meet demand for treatment.
“In the reconstruction proposal, we will also need to ensure further training for human resources, so that this reinforcement also represents a somewhat more comprehensive capacity to provide care,” Guto said.
The Mozambican authorities also intend to expand oncology services throughout the country, with the aim of ensuring equitable access to treatment and reducing the need to transfer patients.
In response to the Mozambican Government’s appeal for national and international partners to help achieve this objective, several organisations from almost ten countries, including Portugal, have pledged to support Mozambique in ensuring that patients receive care.
“On our side, in the immediate term, we are trying to mobilise support in Portugal, from both the private and public sectors, for a more emergency-oriented response, including support for the facility that will accommodate the patients who were being treated. This is something we intend to make happen in the coming weeks,” said Helena Guerreiro, Cooperation Counsellor at the Embassy of Portugal in Mozambique.
Other countries that have offered to help rebuild the services, train healthcare personnel and provide material assistance include the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Ireland and South Africa.
The former Oncology Service facility handled an average of 900 new cancer cases each year, administered chemotherapy to approximately 50 patients a day and provided follow-up care to 70 patients a month.
