Zimbabwe struggles to procure cancer machines

Zimbabwe's government has yet to procure critical cancer treatment machines, despite claims of mobilising over US$30 million as of December 2024 for their acquisition, raising concerns about the state of the country's healthcare delivery.

In June this year, reports emerged that controversial businessman Wicknell Chivhayo's company was awarded a contract worth nearly half a billion US dollars for cancer treatment equipment. The deal, valued at approximately US$437.28 million over four years, reportedly bypassed a public tendering process. The contract, signed in March 2025, involves the Office of the President and Cabinet, represented by Chief Secretary Martin Rushwaya, and TTM Global Medical Exports (Pty) Ltd of South Africa, represented by CEO Rouxne Styger.

This procurement issue comes despite the introduction of a sugar tax by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, aimed at generating funds for cancer treatment, including vital equipment, modern drugs, and improved infrastructure.

During parliamentary proceedings last week, legislators questioned why there was no evidence that the funds collected from the sugar tax were being used for cancer treatment interventions.

Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora told Parliament that Treasury had not released the funds for the machines despite US$30.3 million being collected from the sugar tax by December 2024.

"We first asked the Ministry of Finance how much they currently have in their coffers so that we know what to procure in December 2024. We were advised that there is US$30.3 million, which allowed us to determine how many machines we can procure and where to place them," Mombeshora said.

He added that contracts had been signed with two companies to supply the machines at Parirenyatwa and Mpilo hospitals in Harare and Bulawayo, respectively. "We submitted to the Ministry of Finance papers for them to pay the 30% deposit as per the agreement and in accordance with the suppliers' instructions. It is now more than two months since we signed the agreements. Therefore, it is now up to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion to pay for the machines so that they can be installed," he said.

Mombeshora noted that the suppliers had indicated a 36-week lead time for manufacture and installation, meaning the machines could be operational by December 2025.

Zimbabwe's cancer treatment services remain overstretched, with hospitals struggling to manage late-stage diagnoses amid severe shortages of critical equipment. A recent parliamentary portfolio committee report on Health and Child Care indicated that non-communicable diseases account for 36% of deaths in Zimbabwe, with cancer being a leading contributor.

The delay in procurement underscores the urgent need for improved financial management and accountability in the healthcare sector to ensure timely access to life-saving interventions for Zimbabweans.