The Sunday News
Debra Matabvu, Harare Bureau
EFFORTS to empower communities that are lagging behind with health services and knowledge needed to fight the scourge of diseases such as cancer will be redoubled, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa said yesterday.
Government has already stepped up efforts to reduce cancer fatalities. In a speech read on her behalf by Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs Mary Mliswa-Chikoka at the Zviratidzo Zvavapostori Church Conference in Chegutu yesterday, the First Lady said the need to double down on fighting cancer cannot be overemphasised considering rising fatalities.
“As vice-president of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development, I want to ensure that everybody has adequate knowledge and ensure that I visit areas that are lagging behind in terms of health. Zimbabwe is among the top 10 countries in the world with people affected by cancer. According to statistics, 3 000 people are treated for cancer at our local hospitals, with 1 500 deaths recorded yearly.
“The high number of deaths has been attributed to late detection of the disease. Measures such as immunisation, screening and public education and awareness have for many years not been prioritised. This has led to Zimbabwe being among the top 10 countries with people affected by cancer.”
However, efforts have been stepped up to fight the disease through public education and awareness, including the immunisation programme for young girls against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which started in May last year in all the country’s 10 provinces. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that sometimes leads to cancer.
Government also intends to strengthen the Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid plus Camera (VIAC) programme — which involves examining the opening of the womb, or the cervix, for changes that might lead to cancer — that is currently being done in all hospitals. The First Lady is also pushing for easy and affordable treatment.
“Following my visit in some areas Kariba, I realised that there are many people that are still being affected by bilharzia, which is very worrying. I later learnt that bilharzia is a catalyst and a breeding ground for bladder cancer,” she said.
The Angel of Hope Foundation patron, who is also the country’s Health and Child Care Ambassador, has been going around Zimbabwe raising awareness on the need for women to be screened for cervical cancer on time.
Yesterday, multitudes of Chegutu residents were screened for cervical, breast and prostate cancer from the Angel of Hope Foundation’s mobile clinic. Speaking at the same occasion, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said most cancer deaths were avoidable. He also apprised people of the First Lady’s inheritance programme that is presently being implemented countrywide.
“Once detected early, cervical cancer can be treated. I am reliably told that the early stages of cancer can be treated, leaving one to lead a normal and cancer-free life. The First Lady is also leading another programme on inheritance, which is working closely with my ministry. She can come with her team and teach congregates about inheritance issues.”
The event was also attended by Member of Parliament for Chegutu West Dexter Nduna, Senators and other senior Government officials.
