The Cost of Cancer: The Financial Burden of Treatment in Namibia
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.