Several months ago, the radiotherapy machines at Zimbabwe’s two major public hospitals, Parirenyatwa and Mpilo hospitals, broke down. To date, they have not been repaired or replaced. These hospitals are under the purview of the Ministry of Health and childcare.

On 4 February 2022, a petition was submitted to the House of Assembly for it to use its oversight role to probe this matter, but 6 months later, the machines have not been fixed and there has been no feedback.

Cancer treatment is expensive.Most of the  patients who were on radiotherapy treatment at the public hospitals cannot afford to access treatment at the only private care facility which is operational. This means that their treatment is in limbo. The progress which was made when they started treatment, is negated due to interruption from the machines breakdown. This increases morbidities and mortalities.

The Government has a duty to fix these radiotherapy machines so that all cancer patients can equitably access treatment, regardless of social status.