Story by Tamuka Charakupa
A cancer awareness campaign has been held in Chinhoyi to encourage residents to participate in the ongoing free screening programme.
Various stakeholders and residents from across Chinhoyi town converged at the Chinhoyi University of Technology where they participated in outdoor activities to raise cancer awareness.
“This is an annual event organised by the Zimpapers stable where we bring together stakeholders to raise funds to support cancer-related activities,” said Platinum FM Station Manager, Davies Mugadza.
“As a country, we are not yet prepared medically to fight cancer so right now our focus should be on ensuring community participation in screening so that with early detection we save as many lives and avoid high costs of treatment,” Chinhoyi Legislator, Engineer Lesly Mhangwa weighed in.
“The proceeds from these initiatives are going straight to Island Hospice and Health Care, and these are the resources that we use to move across the country in grassroots to provide free screening,” Island Hospice & Health Care, Coordinator, Mrs Jaqueline Kawondera said.
The government has reiterated the need for a multi-sectoral approach to fighting the disease.
“Let us continue to work together, united in our efforts to combat this disease. By supporting this initiative, we are not only raising funds for vital research and treatment but also sending a powerful message of hope and solidarity to those who are battling cancer,” the Deputy Director in the office of the Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Farai Mavhima said.
“Our call as officers of the Ministry of Health and Child Care remains that with early detection we can be able to treat cancer. Breast cancer is one of the types which many do not take seriously yet it is the most common,” Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital nurse Jane Mutimbanyoka said.
The month of October was set aside to raise awareness of breast cancer and to encourage people to get screened.
