When Silishebo Mulisa (not his real name)’s wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, he was not only terrified for her health but also for his finances. As a single father of one, he quickly realised that cancer is not just a medical battle but an economic one. “I was devastated,” he recalled. “Not just because of the diagnosis, but because I didn’t know how I would afford treatment.”
In Namibia, many cancer patients face the same reality. The financial burden of treatment, from diagnosis to recovery, can be overwhelming, particularly for those without medical aid or a steady income.
According to Joe Anne Crossman, Principal Officer of Namibia Medical Care (NMC), the cost of cancer care is staggering. “Cancer treatment is expensive, and many patients find themselves struggling to afford even the initial diagnostic tests,” she explained. “Specialist consultations, lab work, and imaging tests like CT scans and MRIs come at a high price, which is just the beginning of the financial strain,” she added.
Once diagnosed, the real challenge begins. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and immunotherapy require significant financial resources, with costs varying depending on the type and stage of cancer. “If you’re diagnosed with late-stage cancer, the costs are exponentially higher,” says Crossman. “We have seen cases where patients abandon treatment simply because they cannot afford it.”
Even though Namibia’s public healthcare system provides subsidised cancer treatment, the reality is that out-of-pocket expenses remain a burden, particularly for specialised medications and procedures that are not covered by government healthcare. Patients living in rural areas face an additional challenge: travel and accommodation expenses.
“It was a struggle back in the days travelling from one hospital to the next,” said Mulisa. “My mother-in-law and I had to stay at a guest house when we brought my wife to Windhoek Central Hospital in 2005, which added to my expenses. I was lucky to get some support from family, but I know many people who don’t have that option.”
Medical aid schemes in Namibia offer coverage for cancer treatment, but with limitations. “Many plans have annual or lifetime caps, meaning that once a patient reaches that limit, they must cover the rest on their own,” Crossman explains. “Some treatments, like newer immunotherapies, are not always covered.”
Beyond medical expenses, patients also have to contend with the hidden costs of cancer. Many are forced to take time off work, leading to a loss of income. Caregivers, often family members, also bear the financial and emotional burden. “The first trip doctors were helpful as we were told the government covers medical bills, but all in all, it was for her medications. The family at home had to slaughter and sell livestock to send money to the city,” says Mulisa. “This meant a loss of income for the entire family as well,” he stressed.