First Lady salutes frontline health workers in cancer fight

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke-Senior Health Reporter

FIRST Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has paid glowing tribute to Zimbabwe’s frontline health workers, describing them as the heartbeat of the nation’s healthcare system and central to the country’s fight against cancer.

In a speech read on her behalf by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi during the Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Masterclass for Nurses and Frontline Heroes held in Harare yesterday, Dr Mnangagwa said the dedication of nurses, doctors, pharmacists, radiologists and other caregivers, continued to inspire hope and strengthen Zimbabwe’s health delivery system.

“Cancer continues to cast a heavy shadow. Each year, more than 7 000 Zimbabweans are diagnosed with cancer, with breast and cervical cancers leading among women and prostate cancer among men. Behind every number is a family struggling to find answers and strength,” she said.

“That is why you, our frontline heroes, are so vital. You are the silent warriors who stand closest to patients, providing comfort when fear sets in and hope when pain feels overwhelming. Your hands may be weary, but your hearts are unyielding. You bridge the gap between policy and patients, between science and soul.”

The Masterclass, organised by Cancer Care Network Zimbabwe, brought together experts in oncology from Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana under the theme, “Hands that Heal, Hearts that Care.”

Dr Mnangagwa, who is also Zimbabwe’s Health Ambassador, underscored the importance of compassion in healthcare delivery, stressing that medicine must go beyond technology and knowledge to touch lives at a human level.

She commended Government’s efforts under President Mnangagwa’s leadership to improve cancer care through hospital modernisation, expanded screening programmes and the implementation of the National Cancer Prevention and Control Strategy.

“Through the Ministry of Health and Child Care, we continue to strengthen cancer control, expand screening programmes and modernise our hospitals in line with our National Cancer Prevention and Control Strategy.

“This progress, aligned with the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, is testimony to the Government’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of every Zimbabwean,” she said.

Through her Angel of Hope Foundation, the First Lady has been instrumental in decentralising cancer care by introducing a state-of-the-art mobile clinic offering free breast, cervical and prostate cancer screening services to remote areas.

The Foundation has also rolled out telehealth services and continues to empower families through nutrition gardens, livestock rearing and educational support for vulnerable children.

“But our work goes beyond healthcare. We empower women with nutrition gardens, fishponds, and livestock projects. We support the education of vulnerable children and train young women in hospitality skills. Through these initiatives, we address not only illness but also inequality, bringing hope where there was despair,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa also paid tribute to cancer survivors, describing them as living proof that early detection saves lives.

She called for structured dialogue among key stakeholders to effectively tackle the cancer burden.

“Let us sit down together, healthcare providers, private sector partners, and policymakers to help shape the future of healthcare in Zimbabwe and across Africa. My door is always open to you,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa expressed confidence that the deliberations would strengthen regional collaboration, improve patient care and renew hope for Zimbabwean families.

“Let us imagine a Zimbabwe where every citizen can access screening without fear, and where every health worker is valued and inspired,” she said.

Oncology and palliative care nurse Sister Chipo Mutsengi said the participation of nurses in outreach activities had significantly improved awareness and access to screening in marginalised communities.

“We are grateful to the First Lady’s Angel of Hope Foundation for incorporating us into the programme where we go into the communities to raise awareness on breast cancer. As we commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are happy that we get to reach everyone with information on breast cancer, treatment options available, as well as how they can prevent it,” she said.

Clinical radiologist Dr Cummings Hove said healthcare workers had an important role in ensuring that cancer care reached all Zimbabweans.

“The First Lady is making an effort to reach the rural communities, the far neglected and disadvantaged. The only way we can help her is to receive these patients that are afflicted and offer effective treatment to them. That is why we are gathering to build platforms that will show that Zimbabwe is leaving nobody and no place behind,” he said.

Oncology pharmacist Ms Venus Mushininga said recognition of pharmacists as part of the multidisciplinary team was encouraging and motivating.

“It is a challenge sometimes for patients to get the medicines they need, but we work with other members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure our patients have access to quality medicines. It is encouraging that this platform has recognised our contribution.

“We appreciate the First Lady for giving us the opportunity to highlight the role of oncology pharmacists,” she said.

Botswana-based Zimbabwean oncologist, Dr Memory Bvochora, commended the First Lady’s community-based approach and urged African countries to work together in tackling cancer.

“This event brought together health experts from different countries. The key word is collaboration. I have been working in Botswana for 15 years, but I have realised that I don’t have to only give to Botswana.

“There is nothing that stops me from coming back to Zimbabwe, where I was grounded, to give back,” she said.

Government has also intensified efforts to increase access to cancer services. Representing the Secretary for Health and Child Care, Dr Aspect Maunganidze, Deputy Director for Reproductive Health Dr Lucia Gondongwe commended the First Lady for elevating cancer awareness to a national conversation.

“We know that early detection saves lives and that our empowered health workers are key to that success. Our ministry has continued to serve as a pillar of cancer control.

“We are expanding access to screening and diagnostic services, upgrading infrastructure, and integrating oncology training into broader healthcare education,” she said.

She added that collaboration with development partners was yielding progress in cancer prevention, early detection and treatment.

“These gains are measured not just in numbers, but in lives, in mothers who return to their families and in survivors who become advocates,” said Dr Gondongwe.

Cancer Care Network Zimbabwe chairperson Dr Nomsa Tsikai said the Masterclass provided a vital platform to strengthen multidisciplinary approaches to cancer care.

“We have brought together our nurses, doctors and other professionals to discuss breast cancer and share strategies to improve early detection and patient outcomes.

“The involvement of the First Lady’s Angel of Hope Foundation in screening is crucial and provides a platform for collaboration that can save many more women,” she said.