Abel Dzobo
Zimbabwe is close to finalising the crafting of a national cancer prevention and control strategy (NCRS) which will guide the country’s response to the disease.
The deputy director in the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) department under the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Mrs Clemenciana Bakasa, said the NCRS is expected to be complete by August.

“The NCRS is now at an advanced stage and, hopefully, by end of August it will be done,” she said.
“The NCRS will provide co-ordination in cancer diagnosis, prevention, control and management. It will also aid with resource mobilisation as it will really show other stakeholders the route that Government is taking in fighting cancer.

“Globally cancer kills more than seven million people per year, but not much is being done to combat it.
“But here in Zimbabwe all stakeholders now regard cancer as a major health concern, something shown by the high participation in formulating the NCRS.”
Some of the organisations that participated in the minting of the strategy are the Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe, NSSA, Cancer Association of Zimbabwe, Family

Health International and Breast Cancer Alleviation of Zimbabwe.
The University of Zimbabwe and Africa University are the major learning institutions that participated.
Clinical consultant oncologist Dr Anna Mary Nyakabau hailed the NCRS as very comprehensive.

“The NCRS has all aspects such as prevention, screening, early detection, treatment, palliative care and rehabilitation. It also includes programme strengthening, research and surveillance of cancer.

“The NCRS will unify cancer control and serve as a platform for cancer partners to see where they come in,” said Dr Nyakabau.
Cancer Association of Zimbabwe knowledge manager Mr Tafadzwa Chigariro said the NCRS would help the country to be more focused on cancer strategies.

“The NCRS will ensure cohesion and co-ordination in cancer interventions. This avoids duplication of roles and activities which will not get us anywhere.
“Also, it becomes easy to measure progress or lack of it as the NCRS would have national goals well stipulated,” he said.
Zimbabwe records an estimated 7 000 cancer cases each year.