Zambia: 'I Became Protective' - A Cancer Survivor's Fight to Fix Zambia's Health System

Karen Nakawala, a Zambian broadcaster and cervical cancer survivor, has dedicated her life to improving the country's healthcare system after her own experience with cancer. Diagnosed in 2019, Nakawala saw gaps in the healthcare system that left many women without adequate care. Her private Facebook community has grown to over 137,000 members, focusing on cervical cancer screening, prevention, and treatment in Zambia.

Despite Zambia's high burden of cervical cancer, the country has only six oncologists serving a population of 20 million. The reopening of the radiotherapy and imaging unit at Lusaka's Cancer Diseases Hospital is a significant step forward in addressing this issue. The new facility can treat up to 60 patients a day, providing specialized cancer treatment closer to home and reducing travel and financial burdens for patients.

Nakawala emphasized the importance of culturally grounded cancer healthcare solutions and the need for the government to ensure uninterrupted optimal operation of the unit.