Patient Financial Assistance Programme

Application Guidelines for Financial Assistance to Cancer Patients

Application forms for Patient Financial Assistance may be obtained at health@can.org.na or

health2@can.org.na OR in person at 90 John Meinert Street, Windhoek West or download below.

1. Patients who apply must complete the prescribed application form and the following must be noted:

Financial position (3 months Bank Statement AND valid Pay Slip)
Namibian ID (Namibians or individuals with Permanent Residence may apply)
Number of dependents (to be completed on the form)
Form to be completed and signed by treating doctor to confirm that the applicant has been diagnosed with cancer, the prognosis and a recommendation of assistance required.
The Department of Welfare or registered Social Worker must also complete a section of the application form.

Applications will be scrutinized by the CEO of the Cancer Association of Namibia and/or the Board of Directors, and all information will be confidential.

2. Treatment in South Africa:

Patients who are referred to South Africa and who do not receive assistance from a medical aid in respect of traveling for treatment and/or surgery and who cannot afford to pay for traveling costs may be provided with:

a.) A bus ticket for the patient only (if the patient can sit, OR b.) An air ticket for the patient only, OR c.) Fuel to the value of a bus ticket, OR d.) Transport in South Africa

3. Children's Nutritional Needs

Children with cancer who live with parents or a guardian and cannot afford a special diet (i.e., fruit) may be assisted with a monthly cash contribution.

4. House Acacia Interim Home

Cancer patients residing outside Windhoek who are physically self-supporting and receiving treatment or follow-up in Windhoek may be accommodated at House Acacia Interim Home at N$250 per day. Financially vulnerable patients may apply for Accommodation Assistance to waive this amount. One family member/ friend may accompany the patient residing at House Acacia st a cost of NS350 per day, subject to availability at the interim home

The right of admission is reserved subject to the house rules and discretion of the CEO in the best interest of all patients and CAN.

5. CHICA Interim Home

Childhood cancer patients residing outside Windhoek (who are physically self-supporting a must be accompanied by an adult) will be accommodated free of charge at the CHICA Interim Home. The right of admission is reserved subject to the house rules and discretion of the CEO in the best interest of all patients and CAN.

6. Travel/Transport Allowance

Patients who travel to Windhoek for scans or treatment and cannot afford the transport costs can apply in advance for Transport Assistance of N$250 per trip. Receipts are required.

7. Patients who have Medical Aid Funds must note the following:

In order to qualify for assistance, medical aids should be depleted and proof of ex gratia depletion submitted.
The Cancer Association will under no circumstances pay any doctor's or hospital accounts (including co-payments) but may assist with travel and accommodation costs.
Patients who have exhausted their Medical Aid Funds may under certain circumstances be assisted financially by way of once-off payment after Board approval has been obtained
CAN may in certain situations assist patients if medical aids do not pre-pay accommodation and transport. A written agreement between CAN and the patient will be undertaken and the patient will refund CAN immediately once the medical aid pays out.

8. Trust Funds

Children with cancer where a Trust is registered will qualify for a once-off contribution subject to Board decision.
Children with cancer where no Trust is registered will qualify either for a once-off cash contribution or monthly financial assistance to be managed by CAN.

9. Where a state surgeon is not available and a visiting surgeon in Windhoek has to perform an emergency operation, based on its merits, a once-off payment may be assisted with.

10. A cancer patient who is the breadwinner and is awaiting a disability pension may apply for financial assistance subject to Section 1. This assistance will only be fora limited period of time.

11. Patient Financial Assistance (monthly contributions):

Currently the Cancer Association of Namibia makes provision for 3x N$700 monthly cash assistance contributions per cancer patient per annum (or a maximum of N$21 000 in rare ad-hoc applications presented to the Board of Directors for emergency medical or travel support outside the country); subject to the provision that a patient is in financial need (Section 1 refers). Prior to further assistance being approved, the patient's condition must be re-evaluated by the by the treating doctor who will furnish CAN with a recommendation. The patient must still be under ongoing active treatment for cancer to qualify for further assistance. Follow-up patients not receiving treatment do not qualify for monthly assistance. In such instances Transportation Allowance will be assisted with. Should the patient be placed on active treatment again, the file will be reviewed for assistance. Patients are advised to apply for Disability Grant from the Ministry of Health and Social Services as the CAN assistance programme is not guaranteed.

12. Once-off Assistance / Contributions:

Once off contributions may be considered after the affected patient's financial and medical circumstances were evaluated. The amount of the donation will be determined by assistance required e.g. outstanding doctor's bill, prostheses, eyes, and operation quotations.

The Cancer Association of Namibia should never be placed in a position where it has to subsidize Medical Aids, the Government Medical Aid (PSEMAS) or the Ministry of Health and Social Services. AT ALL TIMES, the Cancer Association of Namibia will pay service providers direct-no refunds to patients under any circumstances.