HON. JOHN MULIMBA,MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN CHARGE OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS,LAUNCHS ROTARY CANCER RUN.
Thu, 08/03/2023
Type:
REMARKS BY HON. JOHN MULIMBA, MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN CHARGE OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS,OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA AT THE LAUNCH OF THE CANCER ROTARY RUN. THURSDAY 3rd AUGUST, 2023 Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests, Members of the Rotary Community, All Invited Guests and Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Am profoundly honoured to participate in the launch of this 12th Edition of Cancer Run today Thursday 3rd August, 2023. This event marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to fight against one of the most formidable adversaries’ humanity has ever faced - Cancer. These Collective efforts, among, but not limited to; • The National Cancer Control Plan/Program (NCCP) • Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Programme • National Cancer Control Steering Committee (NCCSC) First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Rotary Organization for their tireless dedication to serving our communities. For decades, Rotary has been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, making a profound impact on countless lives worldwide. Today, we come together to harness that same spirit of compassion and determination to tackle the scourge of Cancer. These efforts go a long way to diminish wide disparities in cancer treatment like Gender norms, Poverty and Social economic factors such as transport, geographical divide and age. A National Cancer Control Programme is a public health programme designed to reduce the number of cancer cases and deaths and improve the quality of life of cancer patients through evidence-based strategies, these are: I. Prevention. II. Early detection and Diagnosis. III. Treatment. IV. Palliative care. V. Survivorship VI. Surveillance, Research, Policy and Advocacy VII. Inclusion for All (Special Needs, Refugees& Albinos) In May, Government procured new state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Treatment Machine which provide the latest in radiotherapy technology, delivering precise and effective treatment for patients. By this, plans to increase the number of Patient Beds capacity from 120 to 365 Beds at the Cancer Institute. Cancer has touched the lives of so many among us, directly or indirectly. It knows no boundaries, affecting individuals of all ages, races, ethnicity, disability, lifestyle and all kind of backgrounds. The Theme for 2023 is “Close the care Gap: Uniting our voices and taking action.” Today, as we gather, I wish to reaffirm our commitment to bring hope and healing to those fighting this relentless disease. This Rotary Run has a message that will make a difference and encourage people to prevent Cancer. This message entails; • Maintaining a Healthy Weight/living/lifestyles. • Exercise Regularly (Running, Cycling, Swimming, Hiking or Walking • Avoid Smoking • Having enough Sleep, Get Screening Tests. • Limit/Regulate Alcohol consumption (to Zero Is Best) • Additionally, there will be a call for increased cancer awareness, support advancements in diagnostics and treatment, among others. This Rotary Run/Walk is more than just a physical event; it is a symbol of Unity, Solidarity as we keep in mind the countless Cancer patients and their families who face physical, emotional, and financial challenges daily. One of the primary goals of the Cancer Rotary Run is to raise Funds to support vital Cancer Research Initiatives that push the boundaries of Medical knowledge, leading to improved treatment options, early detection methods, and ultimately, a cure for Cancer. This will further reduce the existing wider gap between Professionals and people involved when caring for Cancer patients, improve multidisciplinary Team’s purpose to improve coordination, communication, and decision making between health-care team members and patients, and hopefully produce more positive outcomes. In conclusion, let us embrace this opportunity to come together and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by cancer. With each step we take during the Cancer Rotary Run, we move closer to a world where Cancer is no longer a threat, where treatment is accessible to all, and where hope prevails. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all the volunteers, organizers, sponsors, and participants who have made this event possible. Your dedication and commitment to the Cancer Rotary Run embody the true spirit of service. Let us begin the Cancer Rotary Run with determination, compassion, embrace Partnership, expertise, healthy equity and the unwavering belief that we can conquer Cancer.
Thank you.
For God and My Country
