Malé, Maldives – Statistics recorded by the Ministry of Health of Maldives has revealed that more than 100 cancer patients have died in the Maldives in the year 2020 alone.
The statistical report published by the Ministry towards the end of February detailed non communicable diseases, statistics on the number of patients who received care for such diseases and died of such diseases, as well as the over all situation of the health care industry of the Maldives.
As such, the report sheds light on the increasing number of cancer cases in the country, which has been named the third biggest killer among non communicable diseases. In 2020, a total of 125 cancer deaths were recorded in the country – 75 females and 50 males.
The highest number of cancer related deaths in the country, with the exception of Malé and abroad, were recorded from Haa Dhaalu, Gaafu Dhaalu and Addu Atoll, being 7, 4 and 10 deaths respectively.
According to the report, most of the cancer patients who passed away in the country were between the ages of 72 and 89. A total of 55 patients passed away from the disease from this age group, while an additional 47 patients died from the 54 to 71 age category, in the year 2020. 16 patients passed away from cancer, who were between the ages of 36 and 53.
Most males who passed away from cancer in the country that year died of either lung or liver cancer, which accounted for 17 deaths, while other cancers accounted for 16 deaths in total. This includes 6 deaths caused by prostate cancer and 5 deaths by pancreatic cancer.
In the same year 11 females passed away from breast cancer, and 8 died of liver cancer, while other cancers accounted for 9 deaths.
With the increasing number of cancer cases in the country, the government of Maldives has decided to establish a dedicated hospital for cancer patients in the country. The hospital which is to be based in Laamu Atoll, will provide facilities such that patients would not need to travel abroad for cancer treatment anymore, said the government.
