Comoros plans national cancer strategy
Health officials met in Moroni to draft a strategic plan to combat cancer, aiming for improved care by December.
Comoros health officials met in Moroni from October 20-22, 2026, to develop a national cancer control strategy with support from the WHO and UNICEF. The meeting aimed to assess current capabilities and prepare a strategic plan expected in December. This initiative addresses the lack of a national cancer registry, which prevents precise tracking of patients, diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes.
Estimates from Globocan suggest 619 new cancer cases and 418 deaths in 2022, with uterine, prostate, and breast cancers being most frequent. The country currently lacks an operational radiotherapy service, on-site pathologists, and standardized chemotherapy protocols, often necessitating costly medical evacuations for patients. Questions remain about the selection process, state and family costs, and care for those unable to travel.
The planned strategy prioritizes better organization of medical evacuations, strengthening island-based care, and establishing a national cancer registry. Monthly remote medical consultations are proposed for Comorian doctors to consult with foreign specialists on complex cases. Dr. Saïd Mohamed Soulé noted that agreements with specialized foreign hospitals will be sought, with a pilot project planned within six months and a first oncology unit hoped for within a year.
Why it mattersComoros residents affected by cancer face challenges due to the absence of a national registry, specialized services like radiotherapy, and standardized treatment protocols, leading to reliance on expensive medical evacuations.