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Fighting Cancer Together
Fighting Cancer Together
Malawi National Cancer Centre Launches Landmark Mammography Services to Revolutionize Breast Cancer Diagnostics
LILONGWE - In a monumental stride toward combating breast cancer and improving women's healthcare, the Malawi National Cancer Centre (NCC) has officially launched its comprehensive Mammography Services.
As the only public healthcare facility in the country currently equipped with operational mammography infrastructure, this launch addresses a critical gap in national oncology, transitioning Malawi from late-stage crisis management to early detection and life-saving intervention.
Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among Malawian women. Historically, a lack of specialized diagnostics meant that the majority of cases were detected at advanced clinical stages, severely limiting treatment outcomes and survival rates. The institutionalization of these services at the NCC establishes a foundational baseline for national early-detection screening initiatives.
“I sincerely thank the IAEA for their unwavering, continued technical support. I strongly encourage all participants to take meticulous care of these advanced machines and to tirelessly serve Malawians with the highest standards of breast care.”
— HONOURABLE MADALITSO BALOYI, MINISTER OF HEALTH
HIGH-LEVEL INSTITUTIONAL LEADERSHIP & INTEGRATION
The historic launch was officially opened and graced by the Honourable Minister of Health, Madalitso Baloyi, alongside the Secretary for Health, Dr. Dan Namalika. Key leadership from the facility, including the Director General, Dr. Amos Msekandiana, and the clinical leadership of the NCC, were present to mark this historic milestone. Crucially, Dr. Leo Masamba was also present as one of the organizers, the IAEA counterpart, and the Chief Oncologist in Malawi, further cementing the significance of this milestone for the nation's cancer care infrastructure.
The local organizing committee worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth clinical integration of both the infrastructure and the training workflow:
• Dr. Christine Mukoka: Head of Clinical, NCC
• Mussa Kumwembe: Chief Radiation Therapist
• Madalitso Mumba: Principal Radiation Therapist
• Dr. Monica Sichimata: Medical Officer
SYNCHRONIZED NATIONAL BREAST IMAGING TRAINING COURSE
To ensure immediate operational excellence, the launch was synchronized with an intensive, high-level National Breast Imaging Training Course. Organized in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under Technical Cooperation project MLW6010, the program brought together an elite multidisciplinary faculty of international experts.
Over the course of a week, world-class radiologists, breast imaging consultants, and medical imaging technologists trained 40 local healthcare professionals - including radiologists, surgeons, radiographers, and oncologists - to standardize national breast imaging and reporting standards (BI-RADS).
ADVANCED CLINICAL CAPACITY & INFRASTRUCTURE
The National Cancer Centre has established a dual-tier imaging framework to cater to comprehensive diagnostic and baseline screening requirements across Malawi:
Equipment Modality, Function and Capabilities
2D Digital Mammography
Optimized for high-throughput, precision baseline screening and primary diagnostic scans.
Advanced 3D Digital Tomosynthesis
Cutting-edge multi-angle technology providing high-resolution, layered breast tissue visualization for superior detection of subtle abnormalities.
With state-of-the-art infrastructure and a newly trained cadre of dedicated specialists, the NCC is now positioned to provide high-quality diagnostic and image-guided biopsy procedures, offering immediate hope and enhanced clinical pathways to thousands of women nationwide.
The National Breast Imaging training cohort and international faculty pose in front of the main entrance of the National Cancer Centre.
Technical experts, IAEA consultants, and clinical leads holding strategic implementation meetings inside the NCC planning department.
Demonstration and calibration of the newly installed state-of-the-art digital mammography and tomosynthesis equipment inside the dedicated imaging room
Honourable Minister of Health Madalitso Baloyi alongside senior health ministry officials, executive leadership including Director General Dr. Amos Msekandiana, and international delegates
A New Era in Malawian Healthcare: Malawi National Cancer Centre Successfully Treats First Patient with Historic Brachytherapy Unit.
A New Era in Malawian Healthcare: Malawi National Cancer Centre Successfully Treats First Patient with Historic Brachytherapy Unit.
The National Cancer Center Team, Dr. Catherine Nyongesa (Kenya) and Stefan Menger Medical Physicist (Germany)
LILONGWE, MALAWI – On 25th May 2026, Malawi marked a monumental milestone in national medical history. The Malawi National Cancer Centre (MNCC) successfully treated its first-ever patient using its newly launched, state-of-the-art Brachytherapy unit.
This historic achievement transitions Malawi from a nation previously lacking local radiation therapy into a self-reliant hub of modern oncology. For the Radiographers Association of Malawi (RAM), this represents a profound leap forward for our local imaging and radiation professionals on the frontlines of saving lives.
The Burden: Cervical Cancer in Malawi
Malawi faces a staggering oncology challenge, heavily driven by cervical cancer. It ranks as the most frequent cancer among women nationwide - particularly hitting those in their prime years between ages 15 and 44.
According to WHO GLOBOCAN data, Malawi tragically carries one of the highest cervical cancer mortality rates in the entire world. Every year, over 4,100 Malawian women are diagnosed with the disease, and nearly 3,000 succumb to it.
Until now, the lack of localized, advanced radiotherapy meant that a diagnosis of advanced cervical cancer was frequently a terminal sentence for those unable to afford travel outside our borders.
What is Brachytherapy?
Unlike external radiation, Brachytherapy is an advanced form of internal radiation treatment. By placing radioactive sources directly inside or next to the tumor, it delivers a highly concentrated, destructive dose to cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy organs. It is widely recognized as the indispensable gold standard for curing cervical cancer.
International Collaboration & Local Dedication
This historic first procedure on 25th May was executed seamlessly under the expert supervision of two world-class international experts:
Dr. Catherine Nyongesa (Kenya): One of the most experienced and elite Radiation Oncologists on the African continent. She is the CEO and founder of the Texas Cancer Centre in Nairobi, and also serves as the Chief Clinical/Radiation Oncologist at the Kenyatta National Hospital Cancer Treatment Centre.
Stefan Menger (Germany): An accomplished Medical Physicist who ensured the exact calibration and safety modeling of the equipment.
Working side-by-side with these pioneers, the local team of Malawian radiation therapists, oncologists, and nurses showcased extraordinary technical competency, culminating years of intense collective hard work to achieve this dream.
Ending Costly Medical Tourism
The Director General of Kamuzu Central Hospital extended profound praise to the Government of Malawi for its continued full financial and administrative support.
Historically, the government spent millions of dollars sending a small fraction of eligible patients abroad to India and other nations for radiotherapy.
"The full support of the Malawi government has finally shattered the barriers to advanced healthcare accessibility," stated the Director General. "By anchoring this technology in Lilongwe, we are preserving national resources and, more importantly, saving the lives of vulnerable Malawians right here at home, surrounded by their families."
The Director General also thanked the international experts and praised the relentless local team for their deep dedication.
A Prideful Moment for RAM
As the professional body representing the clinical hands executing radiation therapy in the country, RAM celebrates this breathtaking breakthrough! Our local specialists have trained intensely for this exact moment. This is more than just a new machine; it is the birth of an era of domestic hope, survival, and clinical excellence.
#MalawiHealth #BrachytherapyLaunch #RAMMalawi #CancerCare #OncologyMilestone #SavingMalawianLives
2D/3D Mammography Services available at NCC
2D/3D Mammography Services available at NCC
Mammo Unit
Mammo Unit
Capable of both 2D and 3D/Tomosynthesis
Mammo Control Panel
Mammo Control Panel
Standard 2D Mammo Unit
Standard 2D Mammo Unit
In addition to the advanced 2D/3D Mammo Unit, the center also has a dedicated 2D system.
Brachytherapy Services in the pipeline
Brachytherapy Services in the pipeline
The Malawi National Cancer Center (NCC) will soon have Interventional Radiotherapy (IRT) services. Installation of brachytherapy equipment is at an advanced stage (almost done). See images below:
Control Panel and Treatment Planning
Control Panel and Treatment Planning
Treatment Room
Treatment Room
From Left to Right: Dr. Enock Ludzu (Director General, Kamuzu Central Hospital), Rafael Grossi (Director General, IAEA), Former Malawi President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, Madam Monica Chakwera (Former First Lady), Khumbidze Chiponda (former Minister of Health), & Mussa Kumwembe (Chief Radiation Therapist).
Official Opening
Official Opening
The Malawi National Cancer Center (NCC) was officially opened on the 2nd of July 2025 by Dr. Lazarus Chakwera (then Malawi President). Notable people in attendance were Rafael Grossi (Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency - IAEA), Dr. Thom Mpinganjira (Entrepreneur and Philanthropist), and Shri S. Gopalakrishnan (The then Indian High Commissioner to Malawi).
National Cancer Center Team
National Cancer Center Team
21st August 2025. Closing ceremony of training session organized by RAD-AID.
RAD-AID Team (21st August, 2025)
RAD-AID Team (21st August, 2025)
From Left to Right: Peter Milien (Medical Dosimetrist, NYU Langone Medical Center), Prof. Cheryl Young (Radiation Therapist, GURNICK ACADEMY), Dr. Caroline Mwalwanda (Deputy Director, Kamuzu Central Hospital), Prof. Anand Mahadevan (Radiation Oncologist, NYU Langone Health).
Gallery
Gallery
Links
Links
MALAWI NATIONAL CANCER CONTROL STRATEGIC PLAN- 2019-2029.pdfMalawi National Cancer Control Strategic Plan 2019 - 2029
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