Cancer Association sees financial improvement despite COVID-19 setback
Cancer Association remains committed to being a beacon of hope in Namibia
The Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) announced that despite a N$262,718 financial decline in 2023, the association has recovered, recording an operational surplus of N$491,343 according to CAN’s chief executive, Rolf Hansen.
At the Annual General Meeting, Hansen announced that the association has recovered, thanks to securing fundraising opportunities post-COVID-19, emphasizing that the development of the N$ 10.2 million Palliative Care Centre investment contributed to the operational surplus seen in the past two fiscal years.
According to Hansen, the annual net income, which started at N$ 11 million, remains as low as the pre-pandemic average of N$ 16 million. "Despite this, CAN continues to make substantial social investments, particularly in the National Cancer Outreach Programme, interim homes for patients from outside Windhoek (House Acacia and CHICA Interim Home), and the Patient Financial Assistance Programme, which provided N$ 1 million in support last year."
COVID-19 presented various challenges, requiring companies to adapt to a new norm. However, Hansen asserts that their efforts have been effective, leading to financial improvement.
Reflecting on key achievements, he highlights the opening of the Community Care Centre with growing clinic services, the completion of the Palliative Care Centre for improved in-patient care, strengthening the CAN Erongo Centre to include a larger regional hub with clinic and palliative care services, and expanding the Breast Clinic programme in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Services. These efforts are all aimed at fighting cancer in Namibia.
Finally, Hansen concludes that CAN's strategic partnerships with stakeholders and supporting organizations will be a crucial focus for the 2024/25 fiscal year and beyond. These partnerships aim to cement and reinforce existing programs. "We aim to develop inclusive policies for national cancer control in collaboration with the health ministry, advocate for making cancer a reportable disease, and decentralize cancer care as much as possible," he stated.
At the Annual General Meeting, Hansen announced that the association has recovered, thanks to securing fundraising opportunities post-COVID-19, emphasizing that the development of the N$ 10.2 million Palliative Care Centre investment contributed to the operational surplus seen in the past two fiscal years.
According to Hansen, the annual net income, which started at N$ 11 million, remains as low as the pre-pandemic average of N$ 16 million. "Despite this, CAN continues to make substantial social investments, particularly in the National Cancer Outreach Programme, interim homes for patients from outside Windhoek (House Acacia and CHICA Interim Home), and the Patient Financial Assistance Programme, which provided N$ 1 million in support last year."
COVID-19 presented various challenges, requiring companies to adapt to a new norm. However, Hansen asserts that their efforts have been effective, leading to financial improvement.
Reflecting on key achievements, he highlights the opening of the Community Care Centre with growing clinic services, the completion of the Palliative Care Centre for improved in-patient care, strengthening the CAN Erongo Centre to include a larger regional hub with clinic and palliative care services, and expanding the Breast Clinic programme in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Services. These efforts are all aimed at fighting cancer in Namibia.
Finally, Hansen concludes that CAN's strategic partnerships with stakeholders and supporting organizations will be a crucial focus for the 2024/25 fiscal year and beyond. These partnerships aim to cement and reinforce existing programs. "We aim to develop inclusive policies for national cancer control in collaboration with the health ministry, advocate for making cancer a reportable disease, and decentralize cancer care as much as possible," he stated.
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