Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo is set to receive new radiotherapy machines by early 2026, reviving its long-dormant cancer treatment unit after the machines broke down in 2017, the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Narcisius Dzvanga, has announced.
The development offers a long-awaited lifeline to cancer patients in the southern region who have been without local access to radiation therapy since 2017, when the existing machines broke down.
Speaking during the hospital’s Nurses and Midwives Graduation Ceremony held last Friday at the Large City Hall in Bulawayo, Dr Dzvanga said the radiotherapy unit remains one of Mpilo’s biggest challenges.
“The radiotherapy center remains our sore thumb. Since 2017, it has been down. Numerous efforts have been made to repair the machines,” said Dr Dzvanga.
“I am pleased to announce to you all today that, as recently as two days ago, I hosted representatives from Siemens, the manufacturers of the radiotherapy machine, and they have assured me that we are getting brand new machines come March and April 2026.”
He added that cancer treatment will soon become more accessible nationwide, as other provincial hospitals are also set to receive similar upgrades.
“I have been informed this morning by our guest of honour, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Sleiman Timios Kwidini, that Gweru and Mutare hospitals are also going to get radiotherapy machines, so that cancer treatment will be accessible across the whole country. We thank the Ministry for those initiatives,” said Dr Dzvanga.
Dr Dzvanga also commended the government for introducing air ambulances stationed in Bulawayo, which he said have already begun saving lives.
“You may also have noticed that we now have air ambulances based in Bulawayo. Initially, I was told there would be one, but I have noticed that there are now two. We are very grateful to the President of Zimbabwe, who made this provision. I have no doubt that lives are being saved by these air ambulances,” said the CMO.
Turning to staff welfare, the CMO acknowledged ongoing struggles with accommodation for health workers but welcomed government assurance that the matter would soon be addressed.
“We are still struggling in the area of accommodation for our staff. But I was very excited this morning when our guest of honour said, ‘Don’t you worry about accommodation for nurses and doctors. These are grown-ups and should secure their own accommodation,’” he said.
On the issue of health financing, Dr Dzvanga said Mpilo Hospital continues to rely heavily on the Health Services Fund, though returns remain low due to patients’ difficult economic circumstances.
“To contend about the health financing, it’s still coming. But we have managed to care for a lot of patients through the Health Services Fund. Unfortunately, the returns at Mpilo are low because of the population that we serve. We look forward to the new National Health Insurance, which will guarantee access to universal health for all our citizens,” said Dr Dzvanga.
Despite the progress, the CMO said the hospital still faces shortages of essential drugs and medical sundries, calling for stronger support to the National Pharmaceutical Company (NATPHARM).
“We continue to face challenges in patient care due to shortages of drugs and sundries. Our main supplier, NATPHARM, still needs to be capitalised as it is our main source of drugs and surgical supplies,” said Dr Dzvanga.
Read: https://cite.org.zw/mpilo-radiotherapy-machines-non-functional-since-2021/