Andile Tshuma Zimpapers writer
CANCER patients in Bulawayo and the southern region are a step closer to accessing advanced radiotherapy services locally, with the successful installation of a new linear accelerator low energy machine at Mpilo
Central Hospital marking a major milestone in the modernisation of the institution’s cancer treatment unit and radiotherapy centre.
The linear accelerator is now undergoing calibration, a critical technical process to ensure the machine delivers radiation accurately and safely before it is commissioned for patient treatment.
The development is expected to strengthen Mpilo’s capacity to provide specialised cancer care, reduce pressure on existing services and ease the burden on patients who have been travelling to Harare or outside the country to seek radiotherapy services.
The hospital authorities have projected that treatment of patients will start early next year.
Mpilo Central Hospital acting operations director, Mr Phineas Sithole, said the installation had progressed well, with other radiotherapy machines also expected to be installed following the construction of specialised bunkers.
“All the works on the installed machine are progressing according to plan, and we’re now at the calibration stage. We’ve also completed construction of the base bunkers for the other radiotherapy machines, paving the way for their installation,” he said.
The bunkers are specially designed treatment rooms that provide the radiation shielding required for the safe operation of radiotherapy equipment.
Medical physicist Dr Vincent Muzenda said calibration process was a critical stage in preparing the linear accelerator for clinical use, as specialists must verify its performance and ensure radiation delivery meets the required safety and accuracy standards.
“Calibration is an important part of commissioning because we’ve to ensure that the machine delivers the prescribed radiation dose accurately and consistently. Once calibration and the necessary quality assurance checks are complete, the machine will proceed to commissioning before it can be used to treat patients. That process can take about six weeks, but we’re well on course,” he said.
The process is essential in ensuring that the equipment is ready to deliver safe and effective treatment to cancer patients.
Mpilo Central Hospital chief executive officer, Professor Solwayo Ngwenya, said the investment could be life-changing for patients who have endured long journeys and challenges in accessing specialised cancer treatment.
He said the new machines are a great stride towards attainment of universal health coverage and a milestone in ensuring quality public health care in line with the country’s national development strategy two.
“This is a major development for our patients and for the region as a whole. Access to modern radiotherapy services closer to home will make a significant difference to people who have battled cancer and faced challenges in obtaining treatment.
“Our goal is to provide world-class services that give patients a better chance of receiving timely care and improving their outcomes,” he said.
The new equipment is expected to improve access to radiotherapy for patients from Bulawayo and the entire Matabeleland region and other surrounding areas who depend on Mpilo for specialised cancer services.
The investment was funded through proceeds from the sugar tax, which supports efforts to strengthen the country’s response to non-communicable diseases, including cancer.
The installation forms part of broader efforts to modernise public health infrastructure and expand access to specialised treatment within the public health system.
Once calibration, quality assurance checks and commissioning are completed, the linear accelerator will be ready for clinical use, subject to the required approvals.
The installation of the additional machines following completion of their bunkers is also expected to further strengthen the hospital’s radiotherapy capacity and improve access to cancer care in the southern region.
