Facilities

Also known as the Malawi National Cancer Treatment Centre (MNCTC), this landmark public, specialized, tertiary care medical facility is a crucial step in Malawi's fight against cancer. Its establishment directly addresses the significant burden previously imposed by limited in-country treatment options, offering new hope for patients.

Location

The Malawi National Cancer Centre is located within the premises of Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. While its administrative department was temporarily housed within KCH since 2020, construction has been ongoing for a stand-alone cancer unit separate but adjacent to the main hospital.

Brief History

Prior to the establishment of the MNCC, Malawi lacked comprehensive cancer treatment facilities, particularly for radiotherapy. Patients requiring advanced care often had to travel abroad to countries like India, South Africa, and Tanzania, incurring significant financial strain on families and the government. The concept of a national cancer center has been a long-standing aspiration. Efforts toward its realization gained momentum with the development of the Malawi National Cancer Control Strategic Plan 2019–2029. The MNCC officially opened on 2 nd July 2025, marking a historic achievement as the country's first and only dedicated cancer treatment unit. It is a collaborative effort involving the Malawi Ministry of Health, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), University of North Carolina, and Baylor College of Medicine, among others. The project was co-funded by the OPEC Fund for International Development and the Government of Malawi.

Services Offered

The MNCC is designed to provide a comprehensive range of cancer services, including:

Chemotherapy: This was among the first services offered, even before the full commissioning of the center.

Radiotherapy: This is a crucial addition, as Malawi previously lacked radiotherapy facilities. The center is equipped to offer both external beam radiotherapy (teletherapy) and brachytherapy.

Cancer Surgery: Surgical interventions for various cancer types.

Diagnostic and Pathology Services: Essential for accurate cancer diagnosis and staging, with the Malawi National Cancer Centre (MNCC) equipped to provide these essential functions, including CT scanning, mammography, digital X-rays, and ultrasound scanning.

Palliative Care: To improve the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer.

Research and Teaching: The MNCC aims to be a center for cancer research and training for medical professionals.

The center is envisioned to serve both fee-paying and non-paying patients, with the Ministry of Health covering costs for the latter.

Future Plans / Work in Progress

With the official commissioning of the center, the immediate focus is on fully operationalizing all planned services.

Future plans include:

Construction of more wards, including private wings; Building a hostel and guardian shelter to support patients and their caregivers, particularly those traveling from distant areas; Establishing a National Health Services Fund to independently generate resources for equipment procurement, repairs, and medicines; Introducing postgraduate training programs in various oncology specialties, such as cancer surgery, radiotherapy, clinical oncology, pathology, imaging, and cancer nursing; Further expansion of cancer specialist outreach programs; Procuring advanced equipment like PET/cyclotron for nuclear medicine; Improving the quality and documentation of cancer treatment data; and Potentially establishing extension matrix type of cancer centers in the northern and southern regions in the long term.

Equipment

The MNCC is equipped with high-tech equipment, including: Six treatment bunkers designed for radiotherapy and brachytherapy; Two modern Linear Accelerators (LINAC) machines: Each capable of treating approximately 40 patients per 8-hour shift; A Cobalt-60 machine: Another crucial radiotherapy unit; Two brachytherapy units; and The Indian government symbolically handed over a Bhabhatron-II teletherapy unit.

Staff

The dedicated team at the Malawi National Cancer Centre includes a range of medical professionals crucial for comprehensive cancer care. This includes: Oncologists (currently seven trained); Medical Physicists (currently three);

Radiation Technologists (currently 18); Nurses (currently 42, including three specializing in paediatrics); Nuclear Technologists (currently four); Lab Technicians (currently three); Clinical Officers; Pharmacists; Data Staff; Palliative Care specialists; and  Psychosocial workers.

The staff has undergone extensive training, with ongoing programs to ensure proficiency in operating the new equipment and delivering specialized care. International collaborations, such as with the University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, also contribute to the expertise and staffing of the center.

By Mussa Kumwembe, Chief Radiation Therapist (Head of Radiotherapy Department, Malawi National Cancer Centre)