Two mobile ultrasound machines for breast cancer screening, to the tune of Rs 1.7 million, were remitted to the NGO Link to Life, this afternoon, during a handing over ceremony in Vacoas. The donation has been possible through Japan’s official development assistance programme, the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Mauritius, Mr Shuichiro Kawaguchi, and the President of Link to Life, Mr Rajendra Gangoosingh, were present on the occasion.
In his address, Ambassador Kawaguchi highlighted that both Mauritius and Japan have noted an increase in breast cancer cases in Mauritius which, according to him, is alarming. The machines, he said, will be an effective tool to help Link to Life carry out screening exercises in the country, thus enabling early detection of cancer. Screening is highly cost-effective as it prevents patients from needing surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, he indicated.
He expressed appreciation for the noble work carried out by the NGO in providing support to vulnerable women in the country.
For his part, Mr Gangoosingh expressed gratitude to the Ambassador for the donation adding that the machines will enable the NGO to reach out to more women. He indicated that the screening will be carried out across the country and will target some 2,000 women yearly.
Speaking on the increasing rate of breast cancer, he indicated that some 500 new cases are being registered annually in the country and that around 180 persons have died in 2020. He therefore stressed on the importance of early detection so that the patient can receive appropriate treatment in time. Early diagnosis through screening activities also leads to a better overall survival rate, he added.
Link to Life has been set up by a small group of volunteers with the main objective of providing support and counselling to cancer patients and their families as well as promoting understanding about the causes, precautions and importance of early detection.
