admin
burden of cancer and other non-communicable diseases as the country grapples to contain the emerging epidemic, a Cabinet Minister has said.
In a speech read on his behalf by epidemiological and disease prevention director Dr Portia Manangazira at the commemoration of World Cancer Day held in Harare yesterday, Health and Child Welfare, Dr Henry Madzorera said in 2007 alone a total of 3 349 new cancer cases were diagnosed. More than 1 300 deaths were recorded.
“Since not all cancers and deaths are captured, the above figures are an underestimation,” Dr Madzorera said.
He said an estimated 5 000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed every year.
The World Cancer Day is commemorated on February 4 every year.
This year’s commemorations ran under the theme: “Preventing cancer and raising quality of life for cancer patients: together it is possible”.
Chronicling challenges faced by Government in responding to cancer, Dr Madzorera said radiotherapy treatment services were only available at Mpilo and Parirenyatwa hospitals despite the growing burden of cancer across provinces and districts.
Dr Madzorera said equipment at the two hospitals offering radiotherapy services was always down, further compromising the quality of service delivery to patients.
Currently, there is only one radiotherapy machine functioning at Parirenyatwa Hospital for the whole country.
Dr Madzorera said Government institutions were also facing shortage of chemotherapy medicines such as morphine.
Morphine is a common painkiller often used during chemotherapy. Other challenges facing the cancer response include inadequate human resources.
Dr Madzorera said there were no hematologists, pediatric oncologists and oncology nurses among other critical personnel in provision of quality services.
“Other challenges Zimbabwe is facing with regards to cancer control are high disease burden in a background of limited resources,” he said.
He said as part of their response to the burden of cancer, Ministry of Health and Child Welfare is in the process of finalising the National Cancer Prevention and Control strategy, which will provide guidelines for early detection of cancers.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), about 40 percent of all cancers can be prevented through practising safer sex, reduction of tobacco use and lowering alcohol consumption among other things.
Speaking at the same occasion, WHO Representative Dr Custodia Mandlhate urged Government to implement strategies recommended by WHO for cancer prevention and control to reduce the cancer burden in the region.
Online Reporter