Abstract:

Background: Lymphoma is a general term for a group of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system. To ensure effective control of cancer, patients undergoing chemotherapy should get continuous supply of anticancer medicines. Little is documented regarding availability and accessibility of anticancer medicines used in treatment of childhood lymphoma at Bugando Medical Centre.

Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out involving bin cards of the recommended medications from January 2012 to June 2019. A total of 60 parents of the patients registered for chemotherapy were included in the study.

Results: The availability of anticancer medications for treatment of childhood lymphoma was 71.4% (n=5) all patients got the prescribed medications at the hospital and no parent reported missing and prescribed anticancer medications. All patients accessed medications due to exemption policy, however 36.7% (n=22) reported as being unable to afford supportive charges demanded by the hospital.

Conclusion and Recommendation: With reported tremendously increase in new cases of cancer patients at BMC, the availability of anticancer medications for childhood lymphoma is not adequate. The government in cooperation with the hospital should increase budgetary allocation on procuring anticancer medication.