HRH Princess Lalla Salma calls for setting up global fund to fight cancer

Speaking during a dinner reception offered by HM King Mohammed VI on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), HRH the Princess stressed the need for the creation of a global fund to fight cancer to help needy patients face those long-term diseases and promote access to treatment.

HRH Princess Lalla Salma, Chairwoman of the Lalla Salma association for the fight against cancer (ALSC), made it clear that the fight against cancer is part of the promotion of human values, saying that the international community should make the fight against cancer a priority.

In this connection, HRH the Princess emphasized the need for expanding international cooperation and diversifying fields of action to include training, qualification and technology transfer as well as the exchange of experience.

She voiced ALSC’s willingness to cooperate and share experience with civil society partners from the public and the private sector both in Morocco and abroad.

On the same occasion, HRH the Princess showcased the achievements of the ALSC since its creation five years ago.

Thanks to HM King Mohammed VI’s solicitude for the association, several activities, programmes and action plans benefiting cancer patients saw the light of the day, she said.

On prevention, HRH the Princess deplored that tobacco continues to cause 30% of cancer cases. In this regard, she explained that the measures adopted remain inadequate as long as tobacco is not considered as a drug that should be combated like other illegal substances.

HRH deplored that a number of states lack the means for cancer early detection. “ It is imperative that  a new approach be adopted and special programmes implemented as part of a partnership to curb the effects of this disease.”

Concerning treatment, HRH the Princess deplored that numerous developing countries face shortages due to treatment cost, noting that this situation is worsened by a decline in international aid that widens the gap between the North and the South.









MAP