The Ministry of Health has revealed that, Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) receives about 56 cases of liver cancer on a monthly basis, arising from consumption of food contaminated with aflatoxins.
Margaret Muhanga, the Minister for Primary Health Care confirmed to Members of Parliament on October 4, 2023, that the cancer institute receives 170-200 liver cancer patients, and out of those cases, 48 to 56 are those resulting from exposure of aflatoxins.
“Government spends Ugx 3.12Billion to treat 200 liver cancer patients, with each patient’s treatment costing about Ugx 15.6Million annually, minus investigations and supportive treatment,” Muhanga said.
Muhanga noted that, majority of the patients present with unrespectable disease at stage three and four, which requires a combination of treatment.
“The treatments of choice are Lenvatinib at Ugx 700,000 per month and Bevacizumab at a cost of Ugx 2,200,000 per month,” Muhanga noted.
Julius Karuhanga, the Independent Member of Parliament for Rwampara East said that, there is need to standardize testing algorithm for aflatoxins, adding that, Ministry of Health and Agriculture should work together to facilitate the work done by researchers.
Samuel Opio, the Kole North County Member of Parliament noted that, little action has been taken to prevent and manage aflatoxins despite the wide range of research done.
“What are the health sector’s plans to manage issues like liver cancer that has been attributed to aflatoxins poisoning?” Opio asked.
Aflatoxins are a family of toxins produced by certain fungi that are found on agricultural crops such as maize (corn), peanuts, cotton seed, and tree nuts. The main fungi that produce aflatoxins are Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which are abundant in warm and humid regions of the world.
People can be exposed to aflatoxins by eating contaminated plant products (such as peanuts) or by consuming meat or dairy products from animals that have consumed contaminated feeds. Farmers and other agricultural workers may be exposed by inhaling dust generated during the handling and processing of contaminated crops and feeds.
