By Simbarashe Manhango
Constant medical check ups and screening has been cited as the panacea in dealing with the growing cancer mortalities, a health expert has said.
This comes at the backdrop of a report by the health ministry which estimates that a general population of 30 000 people around the country were suspected of having the disease with most neither seeking treatment nor visiting any health institution for screening.
A Harare medical doctor Mhlungisi Ndebele urged people to use ‘free’ mammography services that are constantly conducted by several institutions in the country for those who do not afford the screening fees.
“Most people in the rural areas can not afford the screening fees but, people should take advantage of free screening sessions being conducted by several health institutions,” he said.
Private institutions conducting free screening exercises include West End Radiology Department, which is supporting the cause by conducting free screening sessions since September.
An official from the department who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were currently screening 50 people a day, with over 500 screened since the exercise started.
“We did a free screening on October 5 and realised that more people can not afford the fees because the prices are high. The exercise has been an integral action plan providing relief and treatment to the majority,” said the official.
So far, the institution has screened more than 520 people.
Cancer has become the most common killer disease surpassing HIV and Aids cases in Zimbabwe recently.
A 2014 report by the Health ministry indicated more than 7000 confirmed cases of those diagnosed with cancer, whereas seven percent of the figure was breast cancer related.
Notwithstanding, government’s inadequacy to help the poor majority who cannot afford treatment from private institutions hence insufficiently resourced for cancer treatment and screening.
These factors have made it impossible for cancer victims to seek early det Constant medical check ups and screening has been cited as the panacea in dealing with the growing cancer mortalities, a health expert has said.
This comes at the backdrop of a report by the health ministry which estimates that a general population of 30 000 people around the country were suspected of having the disease with most neither seeking treatment or visiting any health institution for screening.
A Harare medical doctor Mhlungisi Ndebele urged people to use ‘free’ mammography promotions that are constantly conducted by several institutions in the country provided they can not afford the screening fees.
“Most people in the rural areas can not afford the screening fees but, people should take advantage of free promotions that are constantly conducted by several health institutions,” he said.
Amongst private institutions conducting free screening exercise include West End Clinic which through its radiology department has been supporting the cause conducting free screening sessions since September.
An official from the clinic who spoke on condition of anonymity said they are currently screening 50 people a day, with over 500 screened since the exercise started.
“We did a free screening on October 5 and realised that more people can not afford the fees because the prices are high. The exercise has been an integral action plan providing relief and treatment to the majority,” said the official.
So far, the institution has screened more than 520 people.
Cancer has become the most common killer disease surpassing HIV and Aids cases in Zimbabwe recently.
A 2014 report by the Health ministry indicated more than 7000 confirmed cases of those diagnosed with cancer, whereas seven percent of the figure was breast cancer related.
Notwithstanding, government is inadequate to help the poor majority who cannot afford treatment from private institutions hence insufficiently resourced for cancer treatment and screening.
These factors have made it impossible for cancer victims to seek early detection and treatment.
Despite government’s failure to resolve the cancer scourge, private institutions have took it upon themselves to offer free mammogram screening, a reprieve for most women struggling with the epidemic.
The service has not only provided access to health care but, is laying a foundation for women and men to test early, after findings that men are also falling prey to the disease.
Besides offering free screening, the initiative has catalyzed social support and reliability to provide the kind of help a cancer patient needs and wants when faced which the deadly epidemic.
The West End Radiology department continues its quest to assist cancer victims and those seeking to take up free screening initiatives.