Online Reporter
Peter Matika
A BULAWAYO-BASED physiotherapist, Precious Madzimbe, has once again put Zimbabwe on the world map, presenting groundbreaking research at the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) World Congress 2025 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Madzimbe’s paper, “Mapping the Role of Physiotherapy in Childhood Cancer Care: A Scoping Review of Rehabilitation Practices in Low- and Middle-Income Countries,” highlights how physiotherapy can transform treatment and recovery for children with cancer, especially in resource-limited settings.
Co-authored with Sandra Banini and Dorothy Adjabu from Ghana, the study shows that physiotherapists play key roles in pain management, mobility restoration, respiratory care, fatigue reduction, and psychosocial support. It also flagged challenges like staff shortages, lack of oncology-specific training, weak referral systems, and low caregiver awareness in many developing nations.
Madzimbe stressed the importance of home-based exercise programs and community rehabilitation initiatives, saying: “Without physiotherapy, cancer cure is incomplete — rehabilitation is survival with quality.”
His presentation coincided with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, underscoring the message that recovery is not just about survival but also restoring dignity, movement, and hope for young patients.
The SIOP congress drew over 2 000 delegates from 100+ countries, offering a platform for healthcare professionals to advocate for integrated physiotherapy in childhood cancer strategies.
Madzimbe called on local policymakers to recognise and support rehabilitation in cancer care, saying his research demonstrates the critical role physiotherapy plays in holistic treatment.
By raising the Zim flag on the global stage, Madzimbe is inspiring local healthcare professionals and families, championing African expertise in paediatric rehabilitation, and pushing for better support systems for childhood cancer survivors.
