13 billion CFA francs. This is the cost of the first national radiotherapy center that has just opened in Abidjan. It was inaugurated Monday, December 18, 2017 by the President of the Republic, Alassane Ouattara.
“I am very happy to be with you this morning to inaugurate the Center for Medical Oncology and Radiotherapy, the first of its kind in Côte d’Ivoire. This moment is historic, because it marks an important advance in the health sector in our country (…) the cost of cancer treatment is expensive and care is difficult. The lack of a local management structure for this disease added to the pain of patients who, in addition to this cost, had to bear high travel costs for out-of-country care, for those who could afford it, said Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, during the inauguration ceremony.
Located in the town of Cocody, the center has a capacity of 160 to 200 patients per day. It has 4 buildings with radiotherapy and medical oncology services, a laboratory and a pharmacy. Built on an area of 11,500 m2, the center cost 13.614 billion CFA francs, and will work to raise awareness, prevention, screening and care, as well as support for patients for full reintegration.
It will be operational from January 25, 2018 with Ivorian and Moroccan teams.
It should be noted that the prevalence of cancer in Côte d’Ivoire is estimated at 116 cases per 100,000 inhabitants
