Roche to support African cancer initiative

Roche has announced its support of a new scheme designed to help promote cancer care and control in sub-Saharan Africa.

The company is working together with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to launch the Education for Cancer in African Regions (Educare) project, which will encourage knowledge and skill-sharing between health professionals in the region.

Roche will lend both financial support and expertise to the project, which aims to reach more than 200 workers within its first year.

This project is designed to improve standards in oncology education, with cancer becoming an increasingly significant healthcare burden, particularly in developing nations.

Maturin Tchoumi, general manager for Roche in South Africa, said: “As a leader in oncology, Roche believes that its strengths, expertise and resources can be used to improve the quality of oncology training and education in the poorest countries in the world.”

Last month, the company published its financial breakdown for the first quarter of the year, during which it saw a nine per cent year-on-year increase in its group sales.