KEY POINTS
- Citizens and lawmakers demand increased cancer treatment funding in the 2025 budget.
- Concerns raised over lack of cancer machines in hospitals, with calls for better equipment.
- Rural areas need more awareness campaigns and access to cancer care.
Zimbabwean citizens and lawmakers are urging the government to allocate more resources towards cancer awareness and treatment in the 2025 national budget. Concerns have been raised over the state of general hospitals, where critical cancer treatment equipment has fallen into disrepair.
Public Calls for Action
During public consultations on the 2025 national budget held in Harare, citizens highlighted the urgent need for better cancer treatment facilities.
Rosaria Guvamombe, one of the participants, voiced concerns about the lack of operational cancer machines in public hospitals, stating that many poor citizens are unable to afford treatment abroad.
“Our hospitals do not have cancer machines. The less privileged are suffering and dying because they cannot seek treatment outside the country. This issue has become a burden, particularly for women,” Guvamombe said.
Parliamentary Push for Cancer Funding
During a parliamentary debate, lawmakers also emphasized the need for more funding to address the country’s cancer crisis. Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) representative
According to New Zimbabwe, Thokozani Khupe introduced a motion calling for increased resources to support cancer awareness and equipment for hospitals, particularly Mpilo and Parirenyatwa.
Dzivaresekwa MP Edwin Mushoriwa urged his fellow legislators to advocate for a dedicated portion of the budget to be allocated to cancer treatment and equipment. “As we approach the 2025 budget season, it’s essential that we push the finance minister to allocate specific funds for cancer care,” he said.
Mushoriwa also stressed the importance of equipping provincial hospitals, so that people don’t have to travel long distances to receive care.
“At the very least, we must ensure that provincial hospitals are fully equipped, and ideally, district hospitals should also have the capacity to offer treatment,” he added.
Rural Areas and Awareness Campaigns
Zanu PF MP Priscilla Moyo highlighted the challenges faced by people living in rural areas, who often lack access to cancer screening and treatment.
Moyo advocated for awareness campaigns to reach these remote regions, stressing that cancer affects everyone, regardless of economic status.
“Cancer treatment and testing are expensive, but with adequate funding, we can make a significant impact. People in rural areas are often left out, lacking both resources and knowledge. We need to launch awareness campaigns so that everyone understands the risks and can get tested early,” Moyo said.
Both citizens and parliamentarians agree that allocating more funds towards cancer treatment in the 2025 budget will save lives and improve access to healthcare across the country.
