Forex shortages hit cancer clinics

PARIRENYATWA Group of Hospitals consultant oncologist Webster Kudzatsa has said foreign currency shortages have hit cancer clinics, affecting patients as institutions fail to acquire spare parts and services of international engineers.

Speaking before the Parliamentary Thematic Committee on Gender and Development, Kudzatsa said radiotherapy units had suffered the most.

"We have expertise in terms of treatment and human resources. However, our problems arise from the issue of financing. What is crucial is the need for the radiotherapy machines to be serviced in order to commence treatments for cancer patients," he said.

The radiotherapy equipment at the State institution was bought in 2011 and Parirenyatwa requires US$51 000 for spare parts and to service the equipment.

"We are pleading with the committee to speak on behalf of the hospital in order to commence cancer treatment for patients at full capacity, we need approximately US$53 000 for the spare parts," Kudzatsa said.

He said one machine can treat about 70 patients per day and that there are five radiotherapy machines in Zimbabwe, with only one machine functional, while others require spare parts and servicing.