Kampala: Smiling Toys against childhood cancer

The distribution of toys, collected in Italy, to the young patients atf the Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala concluded the initiative with which the Embassy of Italy celebrated the International Childhood Cancer Day. The event was attended by Ambassador Domenico Fornara, Deputy Health Minister Joyce Moriku Kaducu and a delegation from the Italian association AFRON – Oncology for Africa, which carried out the Smiling Toys initiative. The Ugandan government has introduced a series of measures with international partners and civil society to fight against child mortality and raise awareness on the importance of prevention. Ambassador Fornara said Italian Cooperation is committed to working with Uganda on programmes that support the national health system, and highlighted the role that Italian NGOs are playing in this struggle. In particular AFRON – Oncology for Africa, has been promoting a culture of prevention and running screening campaigns for childhood and female cancer in Uganda for nine years, and recently also in Rwanda. Italy’s support of the Ugandan health sector was recognized by Minister Kaducu in his final speech. The day ended with a reception offered by the Ambassador at the Italian residence.