SANAA, June 28 (KUNA) -- Yemeni Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Qasem AL-Ansi said on Thursday that more than 9,000 Yemenis die of various forms of cancer every year.
Inaugurating an national campaign against cancer, Al-Ansi said that 20,000 Yemeni citizens contract the fatal disease annually.
Due to late detection and lack of cancer diagnosing centers almost a half of the patients die, he regretted.
The minister added that the government can only afford 20 percent of the cost for the medical care for the patients due to the country's economic situation.
Al-Ansi also noted that various health services in the country also suffered tremendously from poor financial and technical capabilities, which led to the high rate of fatalities.