In a historic and emotional moment for Malawi, President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has officially opened the country’s first-ever National Cancer Centre at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe—a move being described by many as a turning point in the nation’s fight against cancer.
Like a long-awaited rain after a cruel drought, the $25 million facility—jointly funded by the Malawi Government and the OPEC Fund for International Development—brings advanced cancer care home to Malawians. It houses six world-class radiation therapy bunkers and 80 beds dedicated to Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy, giving hope to over 18,000 new cancer patients diagnosed annually.
Until now, Malawi had been spending up to $15,000 per patient for cancer treatment abroad, not including the cost of flights or accommodation. Some 200 patients were stuck on waiting lists overseas, praying for a miracle. That miracle is now built in brick and mortar right in Lilongwe. This is not just a medical building—it is a symbol of visionary leadership.
In a nation where health care has long been a burden carried on weak shoulders, President Chakwera’s leadership is shining like a lamp in the dark. “The cancer centre is more than a building; it’s a promise fulfilled, a dream realised, and a future secured,” said a senior health official who accompanied the President on the tour of the facility.
Chakwera was joined by a host of government dignitaries, including Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara and Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda. Their presence underscored the significance of this milestone.
As the African proverb goes, “When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.” President Chakwera has planted deep roots in Malawi’s health sector, showing he is not just managing the present but preparing the nation for the future.
With leadership like this, many Malawians believe the choice is clear: Chakwera must continue leading the nation not just to 2025—but to 2030.
