Linamandla Medical Centre, in partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University), will host the Eswatini Oncology Rehabilitation Workshop, a stakeholder engagement and training event aimed at transforming cancer treatment and rehabilitation across the nation. Scheduled for Thursday, August
21, 2025, at Bethel Court in Ezulwini, the workshop is open to all healthcare professionals.
Registration begins at 7:45am and participating costs E500. The workshop will serve as a powerful platform for learning, networking and capacity building in the field of oncology rehabilitation an often-overlooked component in the holistic management
of cancer patients. “As the Ministry of Health is promoting public and private partnerships; the workshop is a partnership between Linamandla, Medical Centre and government and it aims to develop a cancer research agenda and ultimately
national oncology rehabilitation framework.” According to Linamandla, “one of the key local organisers, the workshop’s mandate is clear: “Eswatini continues to see a rise in non-communicable diseases, with cancer becoming increasingly
prevalent. Yet, the rehabilitation aspect, which is vital in improving the quality of life for patients during and after treatment remains underdeveloped.
This workshop is our opportunity to build a national framework around it.” It was emphasised that the
need for collaboration among health professionals, community
stakeholders and academic institutions to reshape the current cancer care narrative. The event will feature an esteemed panel of oncology and rehabilitation experts from SouthAfrica and the United States, including:
- w Professor MaryLou Galantino
- – Stockton University, USA
- w Dr Sonti Pilusa from Wits University,
- South
- Africa
- Dr Mpho Ratshikana-Moloko from Wits University, South Africa
- Professor Hellen Myezwa form Wits University, South Africa, These specialists bring a wealth of international experience in rehabilitative medicine, palliativecare and multidisciplinary
- cancer management. Their sessions
- will offer insights into both
- clinical techniques and systemic
- approaches to improving patient
- outcomes in Eswatini.
- The event will not only educate, but also foster collaboration among local and international healthcare professionals, with the goal of building a sustainable model for oncology rehabilitation in the country.
- As part of the wider stakeholder
- engagement effort, the workshop
- also aims to:
- Promote early integration of
- rehabilitation in cancer care
- Encourage inter-professional
- collaboration
- Explore culturally relevant
- rehabilitation practices
- Highlight the importance of
- patient quality of life
How to register
Healthcare professionals from both the public and private sector interested in attending can register online at: http://bit.ly/4IOJTyI or contact 7802 5096 or 268 7807 2413 for more information. As cancer rates continue to rise in the region, programmes like these are key in ensuring that patients receive not just treatment, but long-term support and dignity in their recovery journey.
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