By Chantelle Muzanenhamo.
Zimbabweans travelling abroad for cancer treatment could soon be a thing of the past as the Ministry of Health and Child Care has announced plans to procure advanced cancer treatment machines and expand existing facilities, a significant move to enhance cancer care within Zimbabwe.
This initiative aims to curb the longstanding trend of patients travelling abroad for treatment, a practice that has become increasingly common due to inadequate treatment facilities.
Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, the Minister of Health and Child Care, outlined the government’s commitment to improving cancer treatment accessibility in parliament recently.
“Yes, we have got plans to buy cancer machines. We have two cancer treatment centres in Zimbabwe, one in Parirenyatwa and the other one at Mpilo. The one at Parirenyatwa is fully operational at the moment, with the one at Mpilo now operational, but only the CT scan is not yet operational,” Dr. Mombeshora stated.
He added that securing funding is a priority, particularly for acquiring spare parts for the CT scan.
Zimbabweans diagnosed with cancer have sought treatment in neighbouring countries and beyond, often facing financial and logistical obstacles.
The decision to go abroad for treatment reflects not only the lack of sufficient treatment facilities but also the urgent need for advanced technology and specialised care.
Dr. Mombeshora highlighted the importance of creating a comprehensive cancer treatment infrastructure within the country.
“We are going to add more machines at Parirenyatwa and Mpilo hospitals. We are going to buy more machines to open new cancer treatment centres at Chinhoyi, Gweru, Masvingo, and Mutare,” he explained.
This expansion plan is backed by anticipated revenue from the recently implemented sugar tax, which is expected to fund the purchase of critical equipment.
“We know we are going to get money from the sugar tax, we have already sought some advice from specialists who are the radio-oncologists to say what are their priorities in terms of the equipment that we require,” he added.
By investing in local facilities, the Ministry hopes to not only enhance the capacity for cancer treatment, but also alleviate the emotional and financial burdens faced by patients and their families.
This initiative is seen as a vital step towards ensuring that quality healthcare is accessible to all Zimbabweans, ultimately reducing the necessity for overseas medical travel.