Deputy Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya says Zambia is grappling with a high challenge of low Child Cancer survival rate as a result of Haemophilia.
Haemophilia is a group of hereditary genetic disorders that impair the body’s ability to control blood clotting, which is used to stop bleeding when a blood vessel is broken.
Dr Chilufya said government stands ready and is highly committed to work with organisations eager and determined to supplement government’s efforts in addressing the child cancer challenge.
The Deputy Minister said this in Lusaka yesterday in a speech read for him by Director Clinical Care and Diagnostic Services Welani Chilengwe, during the Zambia Childhood Cancer Foundation (ZACCAF) third remembrance service.
Dr Chilufya saluted the brave parents whose lives have changed forever after losing loved ones to cancer yet are able to share their experiences to help other parents.
He commended ZACCAF for the noble work of lessening the burden of families with children afflicted with life threating blood disorders.
Dr Chilufya reiterated government’s continued support to ZACCAF and urged stakeholders to consolidate the fight against cancer and other non-communicable diseases in order to help affected families.
And ZACCAF Chairperson Charity Pikiti said Haemophilia affects everyone regardless of their tribe and social status.
Mrs Pikiti said her non-profit making organization has brought together parents and guardians to share and pass on varied experiences of living with and managing Haemophilia in the home environment.
