Morocco commemorates on November 22 National Cancer Day in an effort to highlight the Kingdom’s achievements in the fight against cancer, as one of the world’s leading causes of death, and most importantly, to raise awareness on cancer as a public health issue and promote better quality care, screening, early detection, and treatment.
Proclaimed in 2007 by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, National Cancer Day is an opportunity to educate and mobilize all Moroccans in the fight against this global epidemic and stress the severity of cancer and its impact on not only patients suffering from it but also their families and surroundings.
The Kingdom has made significant progress in the fight against cancer over the past ten years, be it in terms of the national development of public and specialized private hospital infrastructures, the rapid increase in the number of referral centers for cancer screening throughout Morocco, easier access to care and treatment, the gradual establishment of palliative care units, or the development of research.
In addition to the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the relevant governmental institutions, there are several associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Morocco that accompany cancer patients from the early phases of diagnosis until cure in order to mitigate their suffering and provide them with a safe space to embark positively on their treatment journey.
Among these associations, we find Dar Zhor, which was founded in 2016 with the aim of helping cancer patients and their families cope with this disease.
In an exclusive interview with Morocco Times TV, Dar Zhor Association’s Director, Majda Gharbi, provided an overview of the association’s activities and objectives, stating that Dar Zhor accompanies cancer patients and provides them with supportive care to restore their physical and emotional well-being in all phases of their treatment journey.
Gharbi stressed the supportive care provided within the association with the aid of specific cancer treatments which enable a better psychological and social quality of life for patients who deal with cancer, explaining that supportive care takes into account all the needs of patients and their families and is provided starting from the moment the patient is diagnosed (during and after treatment).
“This patient-centered approach combines conventional medical treatment with complementary therapies, mind-body approaches, and lifestyle adjustments to help manage the physical and emotional symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment,” affirmed Dar Zhor’s Director, noting that the association offers four types of support, all of which aim to promote a better quality of life for patients.
The Director explained that Dar Zhor offers psychological support, including individual support, support within discussion groups, hypnosis sessions, and self-expression through art therapy, theater, dance, and writing workshops, noting that the association also prioritizes the psychological well-being of the patient, through the provision of adapted physical activities, namely yoga, qigong and Tai Chi, which are disciplines that are focused on breathing and the body.
She also went on to say that the third type of support Dar Zhor provides encompasses wellness treatments, such as reiki, energy treatments, foot reflexology, and socio-aesthetics, while the fourth type focuses on counsel workshops, particularly in the fields of nutrition, dermatology, and gynecology.
“To fulfill our mission we rely on a team of almost 40 volunteers, all professionals in their own field, including psychologists, psychotherapists, sports coaches, reflexologists, and reiki practitioners, in addition to all the other activities offered by Dar Zhor,” stressed Gharbi.
The Director of Dar Zhor also explained how the association contributes to raising awareness and educating the general public about cancer, stating that in October, Dar Zhor “focused on breast cancer through the launch of a major information and awareness campaign on the importance of early detection”.
“This month, we are launching a lung cancer awareness campaign, focusing on the risk factors associated with this type of cancer, with the contribution of specialists who will provide the general public with all the necessary information,” added the Director of the association, recalling that ”last year on the occasion of National Cancer Day, we organized a conference/debate on the importance of supportive care in cancerology.”
In terms of the patients’ personal contribution to supportive care, Gharbi emphasized the importance of mobilizing all resources to deal with the disease, affirming that mitigating the symptoms of cancer is one of Dar Zhor’s main objectives.
“We are trying to help them, or at least provide them with the necessary tools to mobilize their resources and assume active roles in their own health care,” further explained the Director.
Dar Zhor’s director also stressed the importance of family and friends’ support in this mobilization, adding that the association usually receives patients accompanied by a family member who is closely involved in the whole process.
“We involve the person accompanying the patient and try to organize discussion groups for the benefit of close caregivers,” concluded the director.