At least 50 percent of the construction work for the National Cancer Centre at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe has been completed, a Ministry of Health official has disclosed.

Spokesperson for the ministry Adrian Chikumbe told YFM online the project ‘is on track’.

“When we look at the period for the construction works which includes installation of equipment and recruitment of personnel, so far we have not had any challenges,” he said.

Chikumbe said government will ensure that all medical equipment which is required for managing cancer is available when the center is completed.

He cited breast, cervical and prostrate as among the highest cancers that are killing Malawians.

“The most common in females we have cervical and breast cancers. In males we are worried about, prostate but there are a number of cancers.”

Speaking during a ground breaking ceremony for the K5.8 billion cancer centre in May last year, President Peter Mutharika said the setting up of a centre gave Malawians a lot of hope.

“The National Cancer Centre will bring hope to Malawians who are suffering from cancer as they will be treated right here without being sent abroad for treatment once the centre starts operating.”

Mutharika said he would make sure that it got completed in one and a-half-year period.