Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
For many Zimbabwean families, a cancer diagnosis has never been just about illness. It has often meant fear, long and exhausting journeys in search of treatment, and the heavy cost of care, sometimes outside the country. Families have had to wait for months, travel far from home and dig deep into their pockets just to give their loved ones a chance at survival.
This week, however, brought a moment of real hope.
Two large, state-of-the-art cancer treatment machines arrived in Zimbabwe, marking what could be a turning point in the country’s fight against the disease. The high-energy Linear Accelerators (LINACs), among the most advanced radiotherapy machines in the world, will be installed at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare.
Their arrival is not just about modern equipment. It is about easing the burden that thousands of patients and their families have carried for years.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the machines will significantly boost the country’s ability to treat cancer locally. “The arrival of the equipment will substantially increase Zimbabwe’s cancer treatment capacity, reduce the need for patients to seek expensive treatment outside the country and support the Government’s drive towards accessible, world-class oncology services,” said the Ministry. For patients, this could mean shorter waiting times, less travel and lower costs. For families, it could mean being able to support their loved ones from closer to home, rather than being separated by borders and financial strain.
The technology itself is impressive. LINAC machines use high-energy radiation to target cancer cells with great precision, helping to destroy tumours while limiting damage to healthy tissue. In simple terms, they give doctors a better chance of treating cancer effectively and safely.
The machines were supplied through select Healthcare in partnership with Siemens Healthineers and Varian Medical Systems. Speaking in Bulawayo, select Healthcare managing director Biggie Magarira said the development would make a real difference.
“We are really excited that we are bringing new, innovative systems to treat cancer in the southern part of the country. We are also excited to partner Government in enhancing health for all in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Magarira added that the machines are among the latest available globally and include advanced features that allow doctors to monitor treatment more accurately. He also noted the effort that went into bringing them into the country.
“This came by air because we wanted things to happen quickly. We could not wait for sea freight given the delays being experienced globally. The entire 44 tonnes of equipment arrived within three days, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring the project moves forward without delay,” he said.
At Mpilo Central Hospital, the arrival of the machines means more than new technology. It signals a revival of a key public health institution that has served millions of people across southern Zimbabwe and neighbouring areas over the years.
Acting chief medical officer Professor Solwayo Ngwenya welcomed the development, saying it will restore the hospital’s standing and, more importantly, save lives.
“The machines will help in restoring Mpilo Hospital’s old image of being the centre of care in the southern half of the country and part of Southern Africa. This institution has always been a big centre for medical care. The development is a lifesaver, a God-sent, and I can’t imagine the number of lives that will be saved as a result of this. Overall for the hospital, this comes at a time when we have renovations of the hospital under the Government’s renovations and upgrading of healthcare facilities, a brain child of President Mnangagwa so the outlook of the hospital going forward will be a modern health facility,” Ngwenya said.
His words capture what this development means on the ground. For many families, this is not just an upgrade — it is hope.
There is still work to be done. The machines must be installed, staff must be supported, and services must be made accessible to all who need them. But this is a strong step in the right direction.
