Construction work of East Africa’s Centre of Excellence for Oncology at 66%

The construction work for the East Africa’s Centre of Excellence for Oncology based at Uganda Cancer Institute is at 66%.

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine said the project involves training cancer specialists.

She said it encompasses equipping UCI with modern equipment, research, construction of a multipurpose building for cancer care, cancer research and training.

According to Atwine , at least 197 specialists so far have trained.

"Construction of the multipurpose cancer building is at 66% physical progress and this building will host a state of the art cancer reference laboratory, boned marrow transplant suite, 12 ICU suites, 4 theatres, training facilities, research facilities and many more. This will help decongest the existing infrastructure at UCI," she said.

A magnetic resonance machine (MRI) and laboratory and theatre equipment are yet to be purchased.

The centre is expected to reduce the migration of cancer patients seeking world class care from the East African community to India because the centre will also start offering highly sophisticated cancer treatment offered in developed countries.