MPILO central hospital has taken delivery of a cancer treatment machines aimed at expanding access to life-saving radiotherapy services.
Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals also received the same.
The machines were procured under the National Development Strategy 2 and funded through the 2024 Sugar Tax on sugary beverages.
Treasury paid US$5,3 million in deposits last year toward the acquisition.
Health and Child Care minister Douglas Mombeshora said the arrival of the equipment marks tangible progress in addressing longstanding challenges in cancer treatment.
“This is a major milestone for Zimbabwe’s health sector. For many years, cancer patients have faced significant difficulties accessing radiotherapy due to limited capacity and ageing equipment. The delivery of these machines represents a decisive move towards improving cancer care,”he said in a statement.
“Renovations of the radiation bunkers at Mpilo Central Hospital and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals are now at an advanced stage.
“These bunkers are critical to ensuring the safe installation and operation of the machines.
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“Our teams have been working diligently to meet the required technical and safety standards.”
He added that the new equipment will replace older units currently in service.
“Some of the functional machines will be reassigned to provincial facilities to widen access to treatment,” Mombeshora added.
Among the beneficiaries of this redistribution programme is Gweru Provincial Hospital, which is expected to become an additional radiotherapy centre.
“The reassignment of machines to provincial hospitals such as Gweru Provincial Hospital is part of our decentralisation strategy,” he said.
“We want to reduce the burden on central hospitals and bring services closer to communities. Cancer treatment should not be a privilege limited to a few urban centres.
“Cancer is an increasing public health concern.”
