Zimbabwe expands cancer care, targets free treatment

The Government has pledged to strengthen cancer care services and expand access to treatment for vulnerable groups, including rural communities, war veterans and low-income households, as part of broader efforts to decentralise specialised healthcare services across Zimbabwe.

The commitment was made by Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora following concerns raised by senators over the high cost of cancer treatment and the challenges faced by patients in remote areas who must travel long distances to access specialised medical care.

Legislators acknowledged recent investments in cancer screening and treatment infrastructure at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital but argued that concentrating services in Harare and Bulawayo continued to disadvantage patients from other parts of the country.

Responding to the concerns, Mombeshora said Government already provides support for disadvantaged citizens through the Department of Social Welfare, which assists patients who cannot afford medical expenses.

"We have a government policy that those who are disadvantaged and do not have money must go to social services and get their dues paid," he said.

The minister also revealed that Government is finalising a National Health Fund Bill designed to improve universal access to healthcare services.

"In that Bill, every citizen in Zimbabwe must be able to be treated in all government hospitals for free," he said.

According to Mombeshora, the proposed fund will be financed through dedicated taxes on products considered harmful to health, including alcohol and tobacco products.

He explained that the arrangement would enable hospitals to recover treatment costs while ensuring that patients are not denied healthcare because of financial constraints.

"People will get treated for free and then the hospital where a patient is being treated will claim its money," he said.

The minister urged lawmakers to support the initiative, describing it as a critical step towards achieving universal health coverage.

As part of efforts to decentralise cancer treatment services, Mombeshora said Government plans to redistribute specialised equipment to improve geographical access to care.

He revealed that a cancer treatment machine currently located at Mpilo Central Hospital would be relocated to Gweru, expanding access to treatment for patients in the Midlands and surrounding provinces.

Government is also introducing digital health systems aimed at accelerating diagnostic processes and reducing waiting times for medical test results.

"When a person is being tested, he or she is not required to spend a month waiting for results," Mombeshora said.

The minister also addressed concerns regarding ageing war veterans, many of whom are increasingly affected by non-communicable diseases such as cancer.

He said Government had procured mobile medical vans that will be deployed to rural communities to improve cancer screening, early detection and diagnosis.

"We have bought mobile medical vans and will go to rural areas to encourage people to get tested. If diagnosed early, they can be treated. We are also working with the Ministry of War Veterans Affairs so they can be assisted," he said.

Health experts have long identified early detection as one of the most effective ways of improving cancer treatment outcomes, particularly in rural areas where many patients often present at advanced stages of the disease.

Government says the reforms currently being implemented are aimed at strengthening early diagnosis, expanding treatment access, reducing inequalities in healthcare delivery and minimising the need for Zimbabweans to seek expensive cancer treatment outside the country.

If successfully implemented, the proposed measures could significantly improve cancer care outcomes while advancing broader efforts to achieve universal and equitable access to healthcare services nationwide.