Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has commended business tycoon and philanthropist Thomson Mpinganjira for his pivotal role in Malawi’s ongoing fight against cancer, a disease that kills nearly 12,000 Malawians each year.
Speaking during the official opening of the National Cancer Centre earlier this week, Chakwera singled out Mpinganjira as an example of private sector leadership making a national impact. He hailed Mpinganjira’s efforts through the establishment of the International Blantyre Cancer Centre (IBCC), the country’s first cancer hospital offering radiotherapy and advanced diagnostic services.
“A clear example is Mr. Thom Mpinganjira, right here, who invested his resources to develop the International Blantyre Cancer Centre, which I had the honour of officially opening in Blantyre last year, and it is truly inspiring to see him here as well,” said President Chakwera. “This exemplifies a spirit of teamwork that we should all emulate a spirit that celebrates every success by one Malawian as a victory for all Malawians.”
IBCC was opened in March 2024 and became the first facility in Malawi to offer radiotherapy treatment. It is a joint venture between the Thomson and Barbara Mpinganjira Foundation and the Online Medical Concept Company of Luxembourg.
The centre also provides brachytherapy, chemotherapy, and medical imaging services treatments that previously forced the government to spend up to K25 million per patient for care abroad.
Mpinganjira was motivated to embark on the project following the loss of his wife, Barbara, to cancer in 2019. She had been diagnosed with the disease in 2017. In her memory, the couple’s foundation has continued to invest in life-saving health infrastructure and services in Malawi.
