Official statistics showing 250 new pediatric cancer cases diagnosed annually at the National Cancer Centre in Lilongwe represent only a fraction of the actual disease burden across the country, as hundreds of affected children remain undiagnosed in rural communities.

Health advocates and medical professionals raised the alarm during a joint blood drive organized by the Rotary Club of Lilongwe City Centre and the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) as of the September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month activities.

‎"At the National Cancer Centre, we see 250 new cases of childhood cancer every year, and we are aware that this is just the tip of the iceberg," said Atupele Mpasa, President-elect of the Rotary Club of Lilongwe City Centre. "Many more children in local communities go undiagnosed."

‎While diagnostic gaps persist, community outreach efforts are slowly driving up hospital visits, said Mpasa who is also a child cancer doctor, noting that increased public education has led to a rise in early referrals to major facilities, including the National Cancer Centre at Kamuzu Central Hospital and the Sobo Ward at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.

However, health officials warned that diagnosing patients is only the first hurdle: treatment itself is frequently stalled by national blood shortages.

‎According to the MBTS, paediatric cancer patients must receive blood transfusions before undergoing chemotherapy. Without immediate blood access, treatment protocols cannot proceed.‎

‎"Before any patient suffering from cancer receives chemotherapy, they need to receive blood," said Bridget Chumba, Public Relations Officer for the MBTS Lilongwe Centre. "If there is no blood in the hospital, a child who needs chemotherapy cannot receive it."

‎Chumba noted that overall supply levels remain below national demand, making targeted partner drives essential.

‎"As MBTS, we haven't been able to collect enough blood for everybody who needs it," Chumba said. "When we host programs like this, it ensures there is blood available so that no child dies simply because the hospital ran out."

‎About 140 thousand pints of blood are needed for transfusion in the country annually.