Civil society groups in the health sector have raised an alarm over the looming crisis due to the increased cancer cases which are not documented.
The groups speaking on Tuesday during the commemoration of the World Cancer Day themed “United by Unique” emphasized on the need for patient-centred care, calling on the government to allocate more resources to tackle the growing burden.
Emi Omunene, a multi-faceted health advocate, psychologist, and author, said that all stakeholders need to work together, insisting that “no matter what, 2025 shall be the best year.”
Omunene, an expert in natural therapy and a champion for tuberculosis (TB) and cancer awareness, highlighted the urgent need for action to tackle the rising cases of undocumented cancer cases.
Commenting on the USA government’s recent funding cuts, she emphasized that the funding affects particularly those under HIV, TB, and reproductive health programmes, which have long played a pivotal role in cancer prevention.
“The USA has been a key supporter of HIV-related cancer prevention through USAID programs,” she explains. “With reduced funding, we risk an increase in HIV-related cancers, TB infections, and declining cancer treatment outcomes.”
Omunene stressed the need for domestic financing, urging governments and private sectors to collaborate.
“We cannot afford to rely solely on foreign aid. If funding is withdrawn, we must have sustainable, homegrown solutions to keep critical health programs running,” Omunene stated.
Omunene draws attention to the interconnectedness of diseases, explaining how TB, an opportunistic infection, poses a greater risk to cancer patients with weakened immune systems.
“Cancer, HIV, and TB are not separate battles,” Omunene warns. “They are intertwined, and any disruption in healthcare funding affects all three.”
By Khavakali Venesa