Kinshasa, February 4th, 2026 (CPA). – The fight against cancer is fully integrated into the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), said the chief of staff to the Minister in charge of Health on Wednesday during the celebration of World Cancer Day in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). « Cancer is now a major public health issue in our country. The epidemiological transition and the rise of noncommunicable diseases require a strong, structured, and sustainable response. Under the enlightened leadership of the President of the Republic, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the fight against cancer is now a national priority, fully integrated into the vision of universal health coverage, » said Dr. Romain Muboyayi, chief of staff to the Minister of Health. Dr. Muboyayi also noted that equitable access to cancer care is recognized as a fundamental indicator of social justice. He recalled that since 2020, major advances have been made thanks to the government’s commitment, including the creation and institutionalization of the National Cancer Control Center (CNLC), the effective provision of free chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and radiotherapy, enabling free treatment for more than 2,000 patients, including nearly 1,000 through radiotherapy, as well as the sustainable integration of the fight against cancer into the general state budget and universal health coverage programs. The chief of staff to the Minister in charge of Health said that the government of the Republic has implemented a holistic national approach covering prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and palliative care.
Human support in the fight against cancer requested
In addition, Dr. Willy Kabongo, medical director of the Kinshasa 50th Anniversary University Hospital Center (CHU-50), in his opening remarks, requested human support for people suffering from cancer, and even their loved ones. « (…) On this World Cancer Day, I believe we are all gathered here for a cause that affects us all in one way or another. And I like to say that cancer is not just a disease, it is a human, family, social, and even economic ordeal. So that is why I want to remind everyone that in these kinds of situations, we need human support. And human support is not just for the patient, but also for their loved ones, » he said. He emphasized the importance of treatment, prevention, and enhanced early prevention, as well as the involvement of all stakeholders in order to effectively combat this disease. « That is why I would like to commend the commitment of all medical staff, researchers, partners, and associations who, under very difficult conditions, try to give their best while preserving the dignity of patients suffering from cancer. It should be noted that cancer is not inevitable. And that if we all work together, we can significantly reduce its impact, » he said. World Cancer Day is a day dedicated to cancer prevention, detection, fighting stigma, and treatment. It is held every February 4th, and this year’s theme is “United for One.”