Qat behind rise in cancer cases in Yemen [Archives:2002/31/Health]

YEMEN TIMES STAFF
The number of cancer cases reported in Yemen is alarmingly high. According to specialists, qat is responsible for the majority of those cases as most of them reportedly occurred in areas where qat is the major consumed product.
Specialists attribute the reasons behind this high number of cancer cases in the country to the use of unregulated chemicals usually used for treating qat. Being a stimulant to rapid qat growth, these chemicals are used excessively by qat farmers. In addition, farmers never observe the prescribed period for the termination of the affects of these chemicals. This is also applicable to chemicals used for vegetables and fruits. The victims of cancer diseases are in most cases qat farmers and chewers.
As one of the major qat cultivation areas in Yemen, Taiz has one of the highest cancer rates in the country. Figures on cancer cases are frightening, especially during the period from 1996 to 2001, during which 840 cases were reported. This number has considerably surged within the first half of this year as the reported cases during this period alone totaled 198 cases.
Dr. Abdulmalik al-Sayyani, director general of the Thawra Hospital in Taiz told the Yemen Times that the most widespread types of cancers in Taiz are the ones that infect lymph node, thyroid gland, face, gum and breasts. There are also other types of cancer diseases that infect liver, blood, and the brain. As for gum and face cancer, they are more common in qat cultivated areas. Consequently, Sabir, Mawya and Dhisufal have the highest numbers of reported cancer cases.
Dr. Saleh Azan, Chairman of the Supreme Medical Committee of the Thawra Hospital said, The unregulated use of chemicals in Sabir Mountain in Taiz is behind the incidence of many cancer cases. Infertility amongst married couples is also high in this part of Yemen.
The Custom Authority has stopped the entry of Israeli-made chemicals as hundreds of chemical substances enter the country without being checking or approved. Thus, it is difficult to control cancer before finding tangible solutions for these problems. The Ministry of Agriculture has a significant role to play in this respect. Dr. Issam of the ministry expressed his concern over the widespread of cancer in Taiz, pointing out that it is of great importance to raise the quota allocated for cancer patients in Taiz to travel abroad for treatment.
The Supreme Medical Committee of Taiz receives tens of cases on a daily basis mostly coming from Taiz, Ibb, Dhalea, Lahaj. Yet, the number of cases approved for treatment overseas is 22. Taking into mind the fact that there is no specialized cancer treatment centers in Yemen, it becomes obvious that for those patients to survive they need to have enough financial resources to travel abroad for treatment.
Dr. Abdulmalik al-Sayyani warned of the spread of cancers, which has become a major problem across the country and not merely in a particular area. He also called the government and in particular the Ministry of Health to rapidly establish a specialized cancer treatment center, especially in Taiz which is the most populous governorate in Yemen and which is the one with the highest number of cancer cases.
Al-Sayyani said that the establishment of this center is indispensable and will also contribute to reducing the costs of traveling abroad for treatment.
In conclusion, qat has now become a curse on the Yemeni people, who are subject to cancer infections today more than any other time in the past. Unless short and long-term solutions are presented urgently, cancer cases in Yemen could increase dramatically causing a humanitarian catastrophe.


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