According to figures released by the National Cancer Registry Programme, the ratio of cancer incidence in this country is l50 cases per l00,000 individuals annually, while cure rates do not exceed 35 to 50 per cent, although the average rate in advanced countries is 70-80 per cent. Studies say that diagnosis and treatment methods in addition to the geographical distribution of specialised medical centres are responsible for either lowering or increasing chances of recovery. The National Tumour Institute, affiliated to Qasr el-Aini Hospital, is the largest specialised centre in Egypt and caters for a large number of patients from the capital and other governorates. The services offered, however, still fall short of actual requirements. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports say the number of cancer cases throughout the world will rise 75 per cent by 2030. WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer has recently stated that cancer will be a major cause of sickness and mortality in the next decades. In order to bridge the gap in Egypt between a growing number of cancer patients and the medical facilities available, officials in the health sector underline the need to administer a number of state-run clinics in areas deprived of such services. One such project is the Tumour Institute affiliated to Zagazig University, in the Delta governorate of Sharqia. The institute is designed to serve eight governorates in the Delta and the Suez Canal zone, was scheduled to go operational two years ago. However, a shortage of finance has suspended work there for several years now. Tareq Ezzat of the Friends of the institute Campaign told Al-Gomhuria Arabic daily, that society donations stand out as the only option today. The first construction stage has been finalised at a cost of LE 50 million while the second stage, which is yet to be completed, is estimated to reach LE l56 million. The last and most costly phase, however, which includes medical equipment is reported to need some LE 250 million. The project started with a limited State allocation and an NGO campaign followed to guarantee the completion of the huge venture. According to Ezzat, work was suspended at the centre owing to low donations although the governorate embraces two industrial communities namely 10th Ramadan and New Salhia where businesspeople were expected to give generous donations. Despite the promotion campaign the society has conducted over the past couple of years, large sums of money are still needed to get the venture spinning. Volunteers working with the Friends of the Institute Campaign say the State budget has to earmark at least LE 500 million to help the projected endeavour stand on its feet. The Institute, as Naglaa Shabaan the campaign co-ordinator says, intends to follow the footsteps of Cairo's National Tumour Institute, as it is designed to include a hospital with an accommodation capacity of 500 beds, in addition to out-patient clinics and scientific research departments.
