Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said today that they are working on compiling a register of cancer patients in the Maldives, with over 1400 names already on the list.
Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said today that they are working on compiling a register of cancer patients in the Maldives, with over 1400 names already on the list.
HPA's Public Health Coordinator Abdulla Muaz Adam told Mihaaru News that at present, the list compiled through an online system set up with assistance from World Health Organization, consists of names of cancer patients seeking treatment at the two government hospitals in capital Male' city.
While work is ongoing to compile the full list, even as of today, over 14000 names have been registered, he said.
"We are still working on collecting data. Once completed, this list will include the names of all patients seeking treatment for cancer in any hospital in the Maldives," he said.
According to Muaz, the list so far indicates a prevalence of breast cancer amongst women, and lung cancer amongst men.
"The data gathered so far mirrors the trend that was detected earlier as well," he said.
Muaz further said that efforts are ongoing to implement the plan on controlling cancer.
HPA has said that oral cancer and lung cancer are highly connected to lifestyle and habits, adding that smoking and consuming betel nuts contribute towards this.
A study conducted by HPA, together with WHO, through the Maldives National University in 2021 indicates that one out of four people are tobacco users. Out of these, the earliest age when persons took up smoking is recorded as the age of eight. The research was done amongst 3,104 persons between the age of 15-39.
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