adminLisa Shirichena Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe will hold an HIV and cancer conference in June this year to strengthen the country’s cancer prevention and control strategies, an official has said.
Speaking at a preparatory meeting in Harare recently, NAC spokesperson Mrs Madeline Dube said stakeholders in the health sector realised the need to mobilise support for a national response to cancer which was killing more 1 500 people a year in the country.
“We want to bring stakeholders together and map a way forward, find the gaps and make a plan of action which can been implemented by both organisations who are into HIV and cancer,” she said.
“At present our HIV and cancer response is disjointed and we need to hold a conference to see how we can co-ordinate our responses.”
The conference which is expected to attract stakeholders in the health sector will be held from June 4-5 in Harare.
The National Aids Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care are organising the conference.
Health experts will discuss strategies to strengthen the country’s healthcare delivery system with the goal of reducing the HIV and cancer burden through improved resources, systems, policies and management.
Mrs Dube said this would contribute to equity through a system that reaches the poor and those most in need of health care.
Cancer cases are increasing rapidly in Zimbabwe and other African countries.
Online Reporter