By Burnett Munthali
LILONGWE, Malawi – Vice President Dr Jane Mayemu Ansah has called for greater compassion, early cancer detection and sustained support for patients and their families, stressing that the fight against cancer must extend beyond hospital wards to address the emotional, social and financial challenges faced by those affected by the disease.
The Vice President made the appeal during a visit to the National Cancer Centre at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe on Thursday, 15 October 2026, where she marked Mother’s Day by spending time with cancer patients, healthcare workers and guardians caring for sick relatives.
Speaking from personal experience as a cancer survivor, Dr Ansah offered encouragement to patients undergoing treatment for various forms of cancer, including Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Her message centred on hope, timely diagnosis, access to treatment and the importance of ensuring that patients do not face the disease alone.
“I just came to visit you on Mother’s Day, and the government is also there to support you to get tested and get better,” she told patients, assuring them that “you are not alone” in their struggle against the disease.
Her visit brought attention to the human side of cancer care, particularly the emotional burden borne by patients and the sacrifices made by relatives who often spend weeks or months attending to loved ones in hospital. For many families, the demands of treatment extend well beyond medical expenses, affecting household incomes, employment and responsibilities at home.
Dr Amos Msekandiana, Director of Kamuzu Central Hospital, welcomed the Vice President’s visit and expressed appreciation for her decision to spend Mother’s Day with patients and healthcare workers. He particularly acknowledged the significance of the gesture for mothers receiving treatment and those caring for relatives during the commemorative occasion.
As part of her engagement, Dr Ansah inspected the hospital pharmacy, bringing attention to the importance of essential medicines and dependable pharmaceutical services in cancer management. Access to appropriate medication, timely diagnosis and continuity of treatment remain critical components of effective cancer care.
The Vice President’s outreach also extended to guardians through the Jane Ansah Foundation, which distributed food items to nearly 200 caregivers attending to cancer patients at the National Cancer Centre.
The donation acknowledged the often-overlooked difficulties confronting guardians, many of whom must remain close to hospitalised relatives while struggling to meet daily expenses and fulfil obligations to families back home. Such challenges can place considerable pressure on households already dealing with the emotional and financial consequences of serious illness.
By reaching out to caregivers alongside patients, the initiative highlighted the importance of a more comprehensive approach to cancer care, one that recognises the contribution of families and the need for practical assistance throughout the treatment process.
The visit also reinforced the importance of public awareness and early screening in improving cancer outcomes. Delayed diagnosis can complicate treatment, making access to reliable medical information, diagnostic services and appropriate care particularly important.
For Malawi, strengthening cancer services requires attention not only to treatment facilities and medicines but also to the broader support systems that help patients remain on treatment and families cope with the demands of prolonged illness.
Dr Ansah’s Mother’s Day engagement placed these concerns at the centre of her message, drawing on her own experience with cancer to encourage patients while recognising the dedication of healthcare professionals and caregivers.
Her appeal was a reminder that the fight against cancer cannot be left to doctors and hospitals alone. It also requires informed communities, supportive families, accessible healthcare services and sustained assistance for those whose lives have been disrupted by the disease.