WHO Donates Cancer Screening Equipment to Zimbabwe

Rutendo Mazhindu - ZimNow Reporter

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has donated essential medical equipment to Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care to support cervical and breast cancer screening under the Women Integrated Cancer Services (WICS) Project.

The handover took place on Tuesday with WHO’s Coordinator for Strategic Health Policy and Planning, Dr Najibullah Safi, describing the support as a key intervention aimed at reducing the cancer burden through primary health care.

“Our support goes beyond equipment. WHO is also providing technical assistance in developing policy guidance, updating clinical guidelines, and producing training materials for cervical and breast cancer, as well as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health. The urgency of this initiative cannot be overstated,” said Dr Safi.

The donation includes four gynaecological examination couches, seven stethoscopes, eight peak flow meters, 11 glucometers, seven pulse oximeters, two laptops, and five desktop computers.

The equipment will be used at selected facilities in Matabeleland South and Mashonaland West provinces, including Shabwe Clinic in Beitbridge and Hurungwe District Hospital.

Dr Safi noted that cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the region, accounting for over 22% of all female cancer deaths, while breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed.

“An estimated 2.7 million women aged 25 to 54 are affected. The socioeconomic toll is immense, over 60% experience anxiety or depression, and more than 70% face financial hardship,” he said.

WHO is working with countries through the Global Breast Cancer Initiative, which aims to reduce breast cancer mortality by 2.5% annually, and the Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, which seeks to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem.

Receiving the consignment on behalf of the government, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Aspect Maunganidze, said the donation would significantly improve access to vital screening services.

“This donation, focusing on breast and cervical cancer screening alongside NCD and mental health integration, is a milestone in our pursuit of equitable health access. These statistics are not just numbers; they represent mothers, sisters, and daughters lost too soon,” said Dr Maunganidze.

He reiterated Zimbabwe’s commitment to achieving the 2030 cervical cancer elimination goals of 90% HPV vaccination, 70% screening, and 90% access to treatment.

“Urbanisation and shifting lifestyles demand a robust health response. Our National Health Strategy prioritises early detection, education, and essential medicine access. This equipment will strengthen our outreach, especially in rural and marginalised communities,” he said.

Dr Maunganidze added that mental health support is a key part of Zimbabwe’s health agenda and praised the WICS project for including psychosocial care in its approach.

The WICS Project, also operating in Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire, aims to reach at least 30,000 women by 2026 through integrated service delivery for cancer, non-communicable diseases, and mental health at the primary care level.