Story by Fungai Jachi
HUNDREDS of women in Chiredzi have benefited from free cervical cancer screening after the Ministry of Health and Child Care partnered with sugar manufacturer Tongaat Hulett to provide life-saving services to vulnerable communities as part of January’s cervical cancer awareness campaign.
The initiative is aimed at promoting early detection, treatment and awareness of cervical cancer, which remains the most common cancer affecting women in Zimbabwe.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cervical cancer accounts for about 1 000 new cases annually in Zimbabwe, with nearly 2 000 related deaths recorded each year. Health authorities say most of these deaths are preventable through early screening and timely treatment.
In response, government has intensified collaboration with the private sector to invest in preventive healthcare measures, including vaccination, screening and public awareness campaigns.
Women who accessed the services in Chiredzi described the programme as a critical intervention, particularly for those unable to afford screening.
“I am happy because I do not have money to go through these procedures, but we have been remembered, and now at least will know where I stand. It is a good thing that if they find anything that is treatable, they will do it now, preventing the worst. It only shows that we are not being left behind, even as women down here in the Lowveld, we are still getting such services. There is hope after all, and we have been told that if we get screened, we get help fast if there is a need,” one beneficiary said.
Chiredzi District Medical Officer, Dr Brian Dhlandlara, said the programme seeks to reduce preventable cancer-related deaths by encouraging routine screening.
“January is cervical cancer awareness month, and we are taking advantage of that by ensuring women come through for free screening. Many of our women die from cancer-related deaths, yet it can be prevented and treated if detected early. So, we want to create a culture of regular screening,” he said.
Tongaat Hulett Wellness Coordinator, Sister Edith Ngozo, said information gaps remain a major barrier to early diagnosis, particularly in rural and marginalised communities.
“Gaps in information concerning cancer is a major challenge among women, so such platforms allow us to give information, and we are offering more than just screening because we are treating cases that are treatable and making referrals for further assessments in some cases. It is preventable and treatable, so if women come for regular screenings, it will help save lives,” she said.
Zimbabwe is scaling up Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for girls and continues to use Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Cervicography (VIAC) as a primary screening method.
Medical experts say early detection of cervical cancer can reduce mortality rates by up to 80 percent, making community-based screening programmes a critical pillar of public health intervention.
