adminHerald Reporter
Government is revamping cancer treatment institutions at the country’s two major referral hospitals in Harare and Bulawayo, a senior official has said.
Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr Paul Chimedza told participants at a regional workshop on quality management in radiotherapy that Government had availed US$15 million to buy cancer equipment on a cost-sharing basis with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
“My ministry has just finalised the Cancer Action Strategy aimed at taking a holistic approach to cancer management from prevention, detection, treatment and palliative care,” he said.
“Government is committed to mobilise resources to fight cancer and to this end requested an impact mission from the IAEA in 2010 whose final report we just received and are in the process of drawing up an action plan to implement recommended actions,” Dr Chimedza said.
Last year, Government bought hi-tech cancer equipment that has already been installed at Parirenyatwa Radiotherapy Centre.
“Meanwhile, work at Mpilo Radiotherapy Centre in Bulawayo has just commenced and we are pushing for its completion by June this year,” said Dr Chimedza.
He said the regional training workshop presented an opportunity for gaining knowledge and sharing experiences in the sound management of radiotherapy centres.
“Proper management of radiotherapy centres will ensure that the population is served better, thereby reducing the cancer burden.
Furthermore, it frees resources for Government to concentrate on other areas of cancer management such as prevention and detection,” he said.
Course director and head of Parirenyatwa Radiotherapy Centre Dr Ntokozo Ndlovu said training was critical in enhancing the skills of radiotherapy specialists in short supply in the country.
“Radiotherapy is a very complex treatment which requires a number of players in the field. The shortage of trained staff is compromising the treatment of the disease in the country,” she said.
Twenty-five participants from 14 African countries attended the workshop.
Statistics show that about 1 800 Zimbabwean women annually contract either breast or cervical cancer.
Of the affected, an estimated 1 200 die from the disease annually.
Breast cancer affects one in every 10 women and one in every 100 men. Men also contend with prostate cancer, which mostly affect those above 50-years-old.
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