Online Reporter
Sunday Mail Reporter
DELIVERY of cancer machines under an elaborate Government-sponsored programme to improve cancer care countrywide is expected to start by year-end.
The Government is funding the procurement of the machines through US$30 million raised from the sugar tax introduced in the 2023 National Budget.
The critical funding has enabled the authorities to procure critical radiotherapy equipment — including linear accelerators, brachytherapy machines and stereotactic radiosurgery units — to strengthen the public healthcare system’s capacity to treat the disease.
Once operational, the machines are expected to significantly reduce waiting times and improve survival rates for patients.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora told The Sunday Mail that the procurement process was well underway.
“The procurement is not like walking into a supermarket, and the machines are expensive and only manufactured via orders,” he said.
“I can simply say two linear accelerators, one for Harare and one for Bulawayo, have been tendered for, at a total cost of about US$18 million.
“So, we had to know how much money we have so that we could put a lot of equipment that is needed for the tender, and that is what we have completed, and we are now at the contract stage.”
He emphasised the need to construct specialised bunkers to house the new cancer treatment machines, citing radiation safety concerns.
“These machines also emit radiation, and there is a need for protection. So, we asked those who are participating in the tender to do site visits to see how they can construct the bunkers, which then prevent radiation from going outside,” Dr Mombeshora said.
“Those are the first studies that we did, and companies went around Harare, Bulawayo inspecting whether they can use the old infrastructure that is there or they have to construct new infrastructure. All that is part and parcel of the tendering process because you cannot just buy that equipment, and you have nowhere to put it. So, those stages are now done, and the tenders were done, and the awards were done.”
The manufacturing of the machines, he said, will take 16 weeks.
“Some time ago, I had a meeting with the companies that won the tenders, and they said it would take 16 weeks to manufacture the equipment. Then they were talking of 38 weeks for the equipment to come into Zimbabwe.
“So, given the time frame when I last talked to them, we are expecting that equipment towards the end of the year.”
Under the current plan, the older functional equipment from Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital will be relocated and installed at Gweru Provincial Hospital and Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital (Mutare).
The establishment of cancer centres at Gweru and Victoria Chitepo hospitals will increase the number of public hospitals offering radiotherapy from two to four, significantly improving access to affordable cancer treatment across the country.
The sugar tax, a levy on sugar-sweetened beverages aimed at reducing non-communicable diseases, is earmarked to fund critical healthcare initiatives.
Proceeds from the tax are now tapped to procure lifesaving medical equipment, with cancer machines identified as a top priority.
From last year’s revenues, the Government is prioritising the procurement of radiotherapy machines, which include linear accelerators, brachytherapy machines and stereotactic radiosurgery units, commonly referred to as gamma knives.
The provision of cancer treatment in public hospitals will come as a huge relief to thousands of Zimbabweans living with various cancers who depend on costly services from private hospitals.
The cost of a round of cancer treatment in Zimbabwe varies, depending on the type of treatment, the stage of the cancer and the patient’s circumstances.
Chemotherapy drugs can cost anywhere from US$100 to US$1 000 per dose, while radiotherapy can cost between US$5 000 and US$10 000 per course.
Online Reporter