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is no other institution with the machines in the country.
The machines at Parirenyatwa are being replaced because they are old, while those at Mpilo broke down in August.
The two hospitals are the only ones offering radiotherapy for cancer patients in the country. When the machines broke down at Mpilo, patients who used to receive services from the hospital were being referred to Parirenyatwa.
Their plight has been worsened by the suspension of radiotherapy services at Parirenyatwa recently to pave way for installation of new machines.
The rooms housing the machines at both hospitals have to be refurbished before the repairs and installation of new machines.
“The machines are not yet in the country because the rooms are not ready.
“What is happening here (Mpilo) is the same with what is happening at Parirenyatwa,” said Mpilo medical physicist Mr Freedom Nhliziyo.
“We are in the process of clearing the rooms and removing the old machines because the same rooms accommodating the old machines are the rooms which are going to house the new machines.”
Mr Nhliziyo said about 60 patients a day used to access radiotherapy services at Mpilo when the machine was still functional.
“I cannot say how long it will take us to complete refurbishment of the rooms, but hopefully before the end of the year, everything will be back to normal,” he said.
Mr Nhliziyo said in the meantime, patients were being treated through chemotherapy.
Cancer patients are mainly treated through surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Surgery is used when the condition is still in its primary stages and cancerous tissue can be removed through simple surgery.
Chemotherapy is applied when cancer has spread a bit and can respond to drugs, while radiotherapy is used when the condition is “stubborn” and spreading fast.
“Most of our patients require radiotherapy because they come for treatment when it is too late and the cancer would be advanced,” Mr Nhliziyo said.
Head of radiotherapy and oncology at Parirenyatwa Dr Ntokozo Ndlovu said the hospital had no option but to suspend operations to allow for the installation of new equipment.
Cancer Association of Zimbabwe manager Mr Tafadzwa Chigariro said of the estimated 7 000 people with cancer in Zimbabwe, a mere 700 to 1 500 were on treatment.
“Others are not on treatment because of the unavailability of services or because they cannot afford it,” he said.
Online Reporter