admin
Talent Gore
PARIRENYATWA Hospital yesterday received cancer drugs worth US$50 000 from TM Pick n Pay, CABS and Cancer Association of Zimbabwe as part of efforts to fight cancer.
TM Pick n Pay raised US$25 000 by selling 80 000 cupcakes from its outlets to help cancer patients.
CABS generated US$25 000 by donating two cents from every point of sale transaction made by customers in any Pick n Pay outlet.
Head of the cancer department and cancer specialist, Dr Nothando Mutizira, thanked the donors for assisting the hospital’s effort.
“These drugs will go a long way because usually we have challenges, as most of our patients cannot afford to pay for these drugs, leaving us in a difficult situation where we are not able to deliver.
“With the availability of these drugs, our patients are not going to be buying since it’s a donation, which will make our job a lot easier because then we are guaranteed that our patients will be able to receive the treatment prescribed for them,” she said.
Dr Mutizira said they were in the process of repairing radiotherapy machines at the hospital.
“We have had challenges with our radiotherapy machines for a while, but we are thankful that the engineers came for the initial assessment to see the kind of equipment they need.
Cancer Association of Zimbabwe general manager, Junior Mavhu, said partnering with different organisations was the way to go in order to win the fight against cancer.
“Almost in every area if you look at cancer treatment, prevention, cancer awareness and cancer screening, we are doing all we can, but it can be better.
“I am encouraging stakeholders and organisations to rally behind hospitals, cancer treatment, diagnosing and procuring everything needed so that at the end of the day, whatever we will be doing, will be done for the good of the nation,” he said.
According to 2018 statistics from the Zimbabwe Cancer Registry, more than 7 500 new cancer cases were recorded in 2018, with 2 500 deaths.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter