General oncology care in Egypt

Abstract

Egypt is a young nation with a growing oncology health sector. It is faced with many challenges, such as the endemicity of HCV and schistosomiasis causing the high prevalence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma and bladder cancer respectively. In recognition of their tremendous health and economic burden, the Egyptian government established the "100 Million Healthy Lives" campaign in September 2018 for the screening of HBV, HCV, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus patients. MoH also founded the National Committee for Control of Viral Hepatitis to implement an integrated national strategy to contain the situation. More oncology-specialized hospitals and units are built every year to cope with the increased demand, such as the New National Cancer Institute, Shefaa El-Orman hospital, and Baheya hospital. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), especially neoplasms, are the twenty-first century's biggest challenge after significant control of communicable ones with the advancement of antimicrobial and progression of community health and epidemiology knowledge. Hence, we believe more light should be shed on their burden in society to increase public awareness and encourage investment in the health care sector.