Health minister: Kingdom spends JD350m annually on cancer treatment.

With the annual cost of cancer treatment in Jordan totaling JD350 million, Minister of Health Firas Hawari addressed the increasing challenges posed by this disease during a recent press briefing. Since 2015, cancer cases in the Kingdom have surged by 40 per cent, prompting the need for more comprehensive strategies to combat this leading cause of death.

Hawari presented detailed statistics to highlight cancer trends and emphasized the role of the National Cancer Registry in monitoring and addressing cases. He also projected a further 50 per cent increase in cancer cases in the coming years, with a rise in female smoking rates contributing to the alarming trend.

Physician Mahmoud Bilal underscored the link between smoking and cancer, praising the ministry’s efforts to reduce tobacco consumption through specialized clinics. Fellow physician Ghazal Azzam stressed the importance of early detection and prevention programs, emphasizing the need to prioritize prevention in order to halt the rising tide of cancer cases.

As Jordan grapples with the escalating impact of cancer, collaborative efforts and a renewed focus on prevention are crucial to stem the tide of this deadly disease.