Lilongwe, MALAWI – Vice President Dr. Jane Mayemu Ansah has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare services to all Malawians, emphasizing that access to care aligns with the right to life enshrined in the nation’s Bill of Rights.
Speaking on Thursday during a Mother’s Day visit to the National Cancer Centre at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe, Dr. Ansah urged patients not to lose hope, stressing that a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence.
Drawing on her personal journey as a cancer survivor, Dr. Ansah recalled that upon her initial diagnosis, she felt as though she had received a death sentence, an experience that deeply inspired her to visit the facility to cheer patients, encourage their families, and uplift healthcare workers.
Touring the facility and its pharmacy, Dr. Ansah praised the standards of care and equipment at the centre, noting that it serves patients beyond Malawi’s borders.
“They are receiving good care. The medical personnel are caring for them with love and all that they need. And it’s a referral hospital. I find that people are coming from all over. There’s even a patient from Zambia, a patient from Likoma island and other places,” said Ansah.
However, she noted that staffing remains a key challenge and appealed to Malawian youth to pursue careers in healthcare.
“I find that we have good, commendable equipment at an international level, but what we lack is enough personnel. I encourage our young people to take education seriously. We are not going to have doctors and medical personnel coming from outside the country forever. Let Malawians work hard so they can enter the medical field and be of service to themselves and the nation,” she said.
During her visit, Vice President Ansah also addressed caregivers, calling on men to play a more active role in looking after sick relatives. She observed that women traditionally carry the heavy burden of caring for children, husbands, and elderly family members, advocating for shared family responsibilities to ease the strain on women.
Extending relief beyond the wards, the Dr. Jane Ansah Foundation (JAFO) donated food items and supplies worth approximately K15 million to patients and nearly 200 guardians.
The relief packages, which contained maize flour, chicken, sausages, soya pieces, sugar, and eating utensils, aim to ease the severe financial pressures guardians face while remaining at the hospital for extended stays.
In his words, Kamuzu Central Hospital Director Dr. Amos Msekandiana welcomed the Vice President’s visit, expressing gratitude for her decision to spend the holiday with staff, patients, and caregivers.
Dr. Msekandiana confirmed that the centre is equipped to handle complex cancer cases, pointing to international endorsements of its medical infrastructure.
“In terms of service delivery at the National Cancer Centre, we are trying our best. We cater to the whole country, and KCH alone caters to over 43 to 47 percent of Malawi’s population.
“Recently, a visiting oncologist from the United States noted that some of our equipment is even more sophisticated than what is available in certain U.S. hospitals. We are well equipped, and we have qualified, well-trained staff to manage cancers in Malawi,” said Msekandiana.
The engagement highlighted the vital elements of effective oncology care in Malawi: pairing advanced diagnostics and reliable drug supplies with emotional encouragement, practical relief for caregivers, and a strong public health workforce.