By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has attributed increasing cases of extortion targeting cancer patients and caregivers to the overwhelming demand for cancer services and a shortage of healthcare providers in Uganda.
Dr. Nixon Niyonzima, Head of Research and Training at UCI, revealed that the institute has recorded incidents of extortion by staff at UCI Mulago. He noted that measures are being put in place to curb these unethical practices and hold perpetrators accountable.
“But because of the high demand for services, some individuals take advantage of the situation to extort money from patients. However, this is something we are tackling,” Dr. Niyonzima stated.
The cancer institute apologized to victims of staff misconduct, with Dr. Niyonzima referring to the culprits as “bad apples.” He urged the public to report any cases of extortion to the office of the Executive Director or the police.
“I would like to apologize on behalf of the Uganda Cancer Institute for these incidents of extortion. Unfortunately, what typically happens in any institution, you have a mix of both good and bad apples,” he said.
He appealed to the members of the public to report any cases of extortion to management and other relevant authorities.
“If you know anyone who has taken money from you illegally, please report it to the director’s office or the police. This will help us take appropriate action and ensure that our patients receive the care they deserve.”
According to UCI data, Uganda recorded 36,000 new cancer cases in 2024, an increase of 8,000 from the 28,000 cases in 2023. Out of these, only 7,945 patients were able to access UCI Mulago, with 50% coming from the Central region and 20% from Eastern, Western, and Northern Uganda.
Dr. Niyonzima further noted that 80% of cancer patients in Uganda lack access to specialized cancer treatment centers. Additionally, more women (55%) seek cancer treatment compared to men (45%), while 9% of cancer cases involve children under 17 years.
UCI Executive Director, Dr. Jackson Orem, announced that the institute has embarked on a decentralization plan to expand cancer care services from the national center to regional cancer centers across the country.
“UCI is committed to increasing access to comprehensive cancer care by establishing regional centers strategically located across Uganda. These centers will bring life-saving services closer to underserved communities, reducing the need for long-distance travel to Kampala and improving cancer survival rates,” Dr. Orem said.
He also revealed that UCI has acquired has acquired a UGX 15 billion high-tech machine to enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment in the country.
“These imaging technologies will improve diagnostic accuracy and ensure timely interventions, which are crucial for increasing survival rates,” he added.
Despite these efforts, Uganda still faces a critical shortage of oncologists. “At UCI, we have about 50 oncology specialists. That translates to a ratio of just one oncologist per one million people,” Dr. Orem noted, underscoring the urgent need for more cancer specialists in the country.
