Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has taken delivery of two low-energy linear accelerator machines as part of a US$27 million programme to strengthen cancer treatment services in Zimbabwe.
Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora confirmed that the machines are currently housed at National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) and will be installed at Mpilo Central Hospital and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals once specialised bunkers have been constructed.
“We are also excited because at least two machines, low energy machines have arrived. They are now at NatPharm, and work is going to start soon in terms of the construction of the bunkers,” Dr Mombeshora said.
He explained that the machines emit radiation and require specially constructed bunkers to prevent radiation leakage.
“We know these emit radiation, which needs to be protected through the construction of bunkers which do not allow the radiation to go outside,” he said. “One will be deployed at Mpilo Hospital, and the other one will be at Parirenyatwa Hospital.”
The Minister added that two additional multi-energy linear accelerators are awaiting pre-shipment inspection in the Netherlands.
“We are now waiting for the visas for the team that is going to go to the Netherlands for the pre-shipment inspection, and that will complete the procurement for the four machines that were done at a total cost of about US$27 million,” he said.
Government has also received approval from the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to proceed with a second phase of procurement focused on cancer diagnostic equipment.
“This involves procurement of CT scans for all our five central hospitals and also CT scans for all our provincial hospitals, MRI scans for all our central hospitals, ultrasound scan machines, X-ray machines, among others,” Dr Mombeshora said.
Mammography machines will also be procured for deployment across all central hospitals to enhance breast cancer detection.
The Minister acknowledged that delays in the programme were linked to manufacturing timelines, noting that production only begins after payment of a deposit.
“I can say we are now at a very advanced stage in terms of the equipment coming to Zimbabwe,” he said.
The development is expected to significantly strengthen Zimbabwe’s cancer diagnosis and radiotherapy capacity, reducing the need for patients to seek specialised treatment outside the country.
