In a shocking revelation, it has been reported that Zimbabwe witnessed a significant increase in cancer cases, with over 10,000 deaths recorded in 2020 alone. According to Dr. Nothando Mutizira, head of the Parirenyatwa Radiotherapy Centre at Parirenyatwa Hospital, the country has seen a steady rise in cancer cases over the past few years, with the number nearly doubling since 2008.
Dr. Mutizira addressed the Health Portfolio Parly Committee, where she attributed the surge in cancer cases to various factors. These include behavioral risk factors, limited access to early diagnosis and treatment, and inadequate palliative care. Disturbingly, the main public hospitals that offer cancer therapy services in the country do not have functional machines to facilitate treatments.
Dr. Mutizira emphasized the need for urgent action, stating, “We have seen a steady increase of cancer cases in Zimbabwe from 2008, and as of 2018, we recorded 7,841 cases in both children and adults. However, GLOBOCAN estimated that in 2020, we had over 16,083 cases and more than 10,000 deaths.” GLOBOCAN is an online database that provides global cancer statistics and estimates for various types of cancers.
The most prevalent types of cancer affecting Zimbabweans are cervical cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, which constitute 69% of the country’s cancer burden. Dr. Mutizira expressed concern over the late presentation of these cancers, stating that the majority of cases are detected at advanced stages. She underscored the importance of early screening and detection to reduce the disease burden.
At the Parirenyatwa Radiotherapy Centre, statistics indicate that over 1,500 patients were seen annually from 2015 to 2018. However, the Covid-19 pandemic caused a decline in figures in 2020 and 2021. Dr. Mutizira mentioned, “Numbers decreased between 2019 and 2021 due, in part, to the Covid-19 outbreak. However, we anticipate an increase in figures this year, as we saw over 1,000 patients last year.”
The hospital offers various cancer services, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and immunotherapy. Unfortunately, all their cancer machines are currently out of order. Dr. Mutizira explained, “The linear accelerators are down, and our last machine broke down on January 31, 2022. Since then, we have been unable to offer any radiotherapy services.” This situation has severely impacted patients who rely on these treatments.
Government intervention has been initiated, with the Treasury providing US$2.4 million for the repair of the cancer machines. However, the long-standing issue of inoperative machines persists. In a recent disclosure, Ruth Labode, chairperson of the committee, revealed that the cancer machines at Mpilo Hospital have been non-functional for the past four years. She questioned why the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals had failed to decentralize cancer services to other provinces, such as Bulawayo, to alleviate the burden on a single facility.
As Zimbabwe grapples with the growing cancer crisis, urgent measures need to be taken to address the lack of access to cancer treatments and services. The repair of these crucial machines is paramount to ensure that patients receive the care they desperately need. Additionally, efforts should be made to improve awareness and promote early screening to combat the late diagnosis of cancer cases. With proper support and resources, the fight against cancer can be strengthened, and countless lives can be saved.
