Tanzania to build cancer drug plant

ARUSHA: TANZANIA is set to construct a cancer drug manufacturing plant in Arusha Region alongside a specialised Centre of Excellence for cancer treatment, with the projects expected to expand access to cancer medicines and specialised services.

Arusha Constituency Member of Parliament, who is also Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Paul Makonda, said the government had already allocated land in Arusha for construction of the plant, with preparations for the project underway.

He said the plant would manufacture cancer medicines for Tanzania and other African countries, while the Centre of Excellence would provide modern cancer treatment services in the city.

Mr Makonda made the remarks yesterday on the sidelines of the Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of Public Institutions (C-CEOs) Forum 2026 in Arusha, where he also spoke about an ongoing cancer screening camp at Kaloleni Hospital being conducted in collaboration with the Ocean Road Cancer Institute.

He said the planned investment would also create employment opportunities for residents of Arusha.

“Not only will we have access to medicines, but the plant will also create jobs in Arusha Constituency. The whole of Africa will get medicines from Arusha and, most importantly, we will establish a Centre of Excellence that will provide quality cancer treatment services here,” he said.

Mr Makonda said the site for the plant was already available, with the remaining procedures being completed before construction begins. He said residents would be involved in the foundationstone laying ceremony once construction starts.

The announcement comes as the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) advances plans to decentralise specialised cancer services, with cancer centres planned for Arusha, Kigoma and Mtwara to reduce the need for patients to travel to Dar es Salaam.

ORCI Executive Director, Dr Diwani Msemo, said in August that the institute was also working towards establishing a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant to produce cancer medicines locally and reduce dependence on imported oncology drugs. The government has separately stated that the Arusha cancer centre would also have a cancer medicine manufacturing plant.

Meanwhile, Mr Makonda urged Arusha residents to take advantage of the ongoing cancer screening camp at Kaloleni Hospital, saying the initiative had brought specialists closer to the people.

He said residents no longer needed to travel to Dar es Salaam for initial screening, thereby saving transport, accommodation and food costs.

“You simply leave your neighbourhood and come to Kaloleni Hospital, where you undergo screening and, if a problem is detected, receive treatment. You do not need to travel to Dar es Salaam, look for a hotel or pay for food,” he said.

He said residents found to have cancer indicators would continue to be followed up by ORCI and, where necessary, referred to the institute for further investigation and treatment.

Dr Msemo said early detection increases the chances of successful treatment while reducing treatment costs.

He said more than 400 Arusha residents had been screened since the special camp began on September 28, in collaboration with the MP’s office and health facilities in Arusha City.

Dr Msemo said about 180 men and 220 women had been screened, with women mainly tested for cervical and breast cancer, while men were screened for prostate and skin cancer.

“My message to citizens is that cancer can be treated when detected early. That is why we have come here to promote screening, because when someone is diagnosed at an early stage, they have a greater chance of receiving treatment and recovering, and at a lower cost,” he said.

He said some residents had been found with early signs of cancer and received treatment, while those requiring further investigations had been referred to ORCI for additional tests and treatment.

Dr Msemo said some men had recorded elevated PSA levels during screening and were referred to the institute for further examination.

He added that specialists had also provided cancer screening and awareness services at the Arusha International Conference Centre to leaders, board members and heads of institutions attending meetings there.

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He said the initiative was designed to reach leaders and executives who often have demanding schedules and limited time to visit hospitals for routine health checks.

The screening exercise, he said, was continuing at both locations, with the services provided free of charge in collaboration with various stakeholders.