Prosper Ndlovu in MOSCOW, Russia
DEPUTY Minister of Health and Child Care, Cde Sleiman Kwidini, has confirmed Russia will soon deliver an advanced cancer treatment machine to Zimbabwe as the two friendly countries strengthen cooperation on health service delivery.
“Russia is one of the countries with advanced cancer treatment, which we also need back home,” said Cde Kwidini in an interview in Moscow, where he is part of Vice President Kembo Mohadi’s delegation.
“There is a machine, which is coming to Zimbabwe, which was supplied with the Russian companies to come and intensify” the fight against cancer.
Cde Kwidini said Russia has already delivered life-saving impact through the Helidrive air ambulance programme, a flagship of the bilateral partnership.
He said the choppers are a direct response to President Mnangagwa’s mantra that no one and no place should be left behind, especially after the challenges of Cyclone Idai.
“These air ambulances can reach everywhere to make sure that each and every patient who needs specialized treatment… is being ferried,” he said.
“The time frame for transferring a patient… is reduced by I think 90 percent as compared to what was happening before.”
He said the cooperation, which includes training Zimbabwean students in Russia, puts the country firmly on track for Vision 2030.
“Basically I can say we are more than on track… It’s only that it’s the pace, which we need to increase to make sure that we achieve universal health coverage by 2030,” said the Deputy Minister.
