DJIBOUTI (IGAD) – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) officially broke ground on its Regional Cancer Center of Excellence (RCCE) at a ceremony in Addis Ababa, presided over by the IGAD Executive Secretary, Ambassadors of the IGAD member states, senior Government of Ethiopia officials, and development partners on Monday the 19th of April 2021.
This state-of-the-art center is estimated to cost 500 million USD and was established by the decision of the IGAD Council in 2012. The center is expected to be a key contributor in the global fight against cancer.
Speaking in Djibouti before departing for Addis Ababa for the ground-breaking ceremony, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, the IGAD Executive Secretary urged IGAD member countries and partners to mobilize resources and expertise to ensure the success of the project. “We hope that the science and technology driven center will be able to make meaningful contributions to the realization of IGAD region’s goal to become a regional leader in provision world class healthcare for cancer patients and come up with cutting age research and training to contain the disease. We therefore appeal for strong commitment to the IGAD Regional Cancer Center of Excellence to give hope to citizens suffering from cancer in the region,” said Dr. Workneh.
Upon its full completion, the center will provide accessible world-class quality cancer care services including diagnosis, treatment, and research. The primary objective of the center is aimed at dealing with the growing cancer-induced healthcare challenge being experienced in the region, and train skillful and competent professionals in prevention and treatment of cancer. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In 2020, close to 711,450 people died of cancer in Africa alone.
The 200,000 meter-square land where the center is housed is generously donated by the Government of Ethiopia.
Source: IGAD