Today is World Cancer Day, and the World Health Organization (WHO) warns of the need to improve cancer services in low- and middle-income countries. If current trends continue, the number of cancer cases will increase by 60% over the next 20 years, with the largest increase occurring in the poorest countries.
According to the WHO, the largest increase in the number of new cases in the future, estimated to reach 81%, will occur in low- and middle-income countries, where survival rates are currently the lowest. This is largely because these countries have had to dedicate their limited health resources to fighting infectious diseases and improving maternal and child health, leaving health services ill-equipped for cancer prevention, testing, and treatment.
In 2019, more than 90% of high-income countries reported having comprehensive cancer treatment services in their public health systems, compared to fewer than 15% of low-income countries.
âThis is a wake-up call for all of us to combat the unacceptable inequalities between cancer services in rich and poor countries,â said Dr. Ren Minghui, Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage and Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases, World Health Organization. âWhen people have access to primary care and referral systems, cancer can be detected early, treated appropriately, and cured. Cancer should not be a death sentence for anyone, anywhere in the world.â
The Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God has more than 400 centers around the world to care for sick and vulnerable people. It also supports the international cooperation organization Juan Ciudad ONGD, based in Madrid, which is currently developing nearly 55 projects in Saint John of God hospitals and centers in 17 countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, directly benefiting more than 158,000 people.
This NGO works to facilitate access to quality social and healthcare services, thereby contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on SDG 3, "Good Health and Well-being." It also carries out its work with a human rights-based approach, defending the right to a dignified and healthy life.
Source: NP WHO: https://www.who.int/es/news-room/detail/04-02-2020-who-outlines-steps-to-save-7-million-lives-from-cancer
News edited by: Adriana Castro, JCONGD Communications.
