South Africa’s new oncology centre set to welcome first patients
This World Cancer Day (Saturday, February 4) we are looking ahead to the arrival of the first patients at the new Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital oncology unit.
Thanks to your support Islamic Relief was able to donate more than £6 million (USD $7.7m/110ZAR) to the new facility in Johannesburg, stepping up the treatment of childhood cancer across the African continent.
Launched eight weeks ago, the hospital is now recruiting medical staff and the first patients are expected in just a few months’ time.
Currently more than 8 million people worldwide die from cancer every year.
Over the next ten years that figure is projected to rise to more than 14 million.
And advancements in cancer and non-communicable diseases are especially needed in low and middle-income countries who are tackling these epidemics with insufficient resources.
The Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital is Mr Mandela’s lasting wish for the children of Africa, and his legacy for future generations.
We look forward to bringing news of the first patients to be referred to the new oncology centre later in 2017.
Read more about our work in South Africa here.