News / Health
Zim Govt mulls cancer fund
01 Oct 2013 at 14:28hrs | Views
Treasury is likely to allocate a separate fund dedicated to the treatment of cancer when the 2014 national budget is released later this year.
The Health and Child Care Minister, Dr David Parirenyatwa told the ZBC in Harare that his ministry is committing a dedicated amount for cancer treatment in the forthcoming national budget, as the government intensifies efforts to fight the disease.
If treasury approves the plan, there will be a separate fund towards the treatment of cancer.
Meanwhile, a survey carried out by the ZBC in Harare showed that the majority of women appreciate the importance of screening and the early detection of breast cancer through mammograms or self examination.
However, the unavailability of equipment that are essential for diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been cited as the major setback.
The month of October has been designated as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month globally, a time when countries intensify campaigns to increase awareness of the disease.
Zimbabwe is among countries that will be commemorating the breast cancer month.
In Zimbabwe, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women second to cancer of the cervix.
According to health experts, the best protection against the disease is early detection, adopting healthy diets consisting of fruits and vegetables, engaging in physical activity and maintaining a normal body weight.
The number of men who are also getting affected by the disease is on the increase.
7000 new cancer cases are recorded annually in the country, up from 3000 recorded in 2007.
The Health and Child Care Minister, Dr David Parirenyatwa told the ZBC in Harare that his ministry is committing a dedicated amount for cancer treatment in the forthcoming national budget, as the government intensifies efforts to fight the disease.
If treasury approves the plan, there will be a separate fund towards the treatment of cancer.
Meanwhile, a survey carried out by the ZBC in Harare showed that the majority of women appreciate the importance of screening and the early detection of breast cancer through mammograms or self examination.
However, the unavailability of equipment that are essential for diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been cited as the major setback.
The month of October has been designated as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month globally, a time when countries intensify campaigns to increase awareness of the disease.
Zimbabwe is among countries that will be commemorating the breast cancer month.
In Zimbabwe, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women second to cancer of the cervix.
According to health experts, the best protection against the disease is early detection, adopting healthy diets consisting of fruits and vegetables, engaging in physical activity and maintaining a normal body weight.
The number of men who are also getting affected by the disease is on the increase.
7000 new cancer cases are recorded annually in the country, up from 3000 recorded in 2007.
Source - zbc
