Zim Screens 22 271 Women for Cervical Cancer Under NDS1

By Kuda Pembere With the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) nearing its end this year, 22,271 women were screened for cervical cancer under its health pillar. This was revealed by Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Honourable Jenfan Muswere during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday. Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge in Zimbabwe, ranking as the fourth most common cancer both globally and regionally. Each year, around 3,043 women in the country are diagnosed with the disease, and approximately 1,976 die from it. Zimbabwe is among the…

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PSH Adopts Social Enterprise Model to Sustain Health Services

By Michael Gwarisa In a strategic move to ensure long-term sustainability, Population Solutions for Health (PSH) is transforming part of its operations into income-generating ventures, positioning itself as a hybrid social enterprise amid waning international donor support. The shift comes at a time when global health programs are facing disruptions due to the withdrawal of funding from major donors, particularly the United States government. The cutbacks have forced several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that were heavily reliant on donor aid to shut down or scale back significantly. To remain operational and…

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Zimbabwe Medical Doctor Launches ColpoPen, An AI Tool To Screen Cervical Cancer

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe continues to lose over 1,000 women to cervical cancer annually, with data showing that an estimated 3,043 women are diagnosed with the disease each year. Despite this grim reality, access to screening services for women in Zimbabwe remains a challenge due to a myriad of factors, including lack of knowledge and awareness, inaccessible health services, the pain and discomfort of pelvic examinations, and societal stigma and discrimination. To boost cervical cancer screening, the government has introduced various interventions, including the use of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA…

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Delta Corporation Fund Masvingo Province Prisons, Breast, Cervical & Prostate Cancer Education And Screening

Staff Reporter  This year Delta Corporation provided USD10,000 through the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe for the Masvingo Province prisons, breast, cervical and prostate cancer education and screening. Cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with delayed diagnosis often resulting in poor health outcomes. Incarcerated individuals face unique challenges in accessing timely and equitable health care services, including cancer screening. To address the disparity the CAZ offered in partnership with Delta Corporation breast, cervix and prostate cancer education and screening services to the inmates and prisoners at the…

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Challenges hamper cervical cancer fight in Zim

By Kudakwashe Pembere A plethora of challenges within the public health sector are stalling Zimbabwe’s progress in the elimination of cervical cancer which despite commendably rolling out some programs, the country is ranked fourth regionally and globally in terms of the disease burden. The battle against cervical cancer in Zimbabwe is far from being won until these challenges bedeviling the public health delivery system are resolved. Amongst the challenges mentioned are the malfunctioning radiotherapy machines, shortage of cervical cancer specialists and staff as well as laboratory equipment and pathologists. This…

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Decentralize Cancer Screening…Fund Treatment and Care

By Fiona Tinarwo In May this year, I had an opportunity to be part of a team that facilitated a mobile outreach clinic in Chimanimani in partnership with Mutambara Mission Hospital. One of the most important service on offer was cervical cancer screening. I met a number of women from the community and had a chance to speak to them about the importance of cervical cancer screening. One lady honestly spoke about life after getting screened and being diagnosed with cervical cancer. She literally spoke about how that could be…

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NAC’S sponsored Zimbabwe Women Amateur Golf Tournament goes into fourth year

ABOUT partnership between the National AIDS Council (NAC) and the Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union (ZLGU), continues to grow with year’s Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament which starts on Friday expected to attract more numbers up for cervical screening. By Kudakwashe Pembere Cervical cancer screening helps identify cancer at an early stage before it can cause symptoms. Ending on Sunday, the tournament brings will see other countries such as Kenya and Zambia taking part in the tournament. Addressing the media at a press conference, Margaret Vera said this is year’s tourney will…

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Generation Health Joins the Cervical Cancer Awareness Movement

Compliments of the new season! A time we plan for the year and what a better time to keep urging women to get screened for cervical cancer. According to the Lancet Journal, “each year, more than half a million women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and the disease results in over 300 000 deaths worldwide.” To bring it closer to home it accounts for close to one third of cancers in Black Zimbabwean women and is also the number one cause of cancer deaths in Zimbabwe. Caroline Mbofana – Dyirakumunda…

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HIV Positive Women Urged To Regularly Screen For Cervical Cancer

THE Zimbabwe Association of Church Related Hospitals (ZACH) has warned that  women living with HIV were more prone to cervical cancer and therefore should get screened more frequently. By Patricia Mashiri Speaking during Cervical cancer and HIV and the impact of COVID-19 on screening services virtual meeting, HIV Positive Women Urged To Regularly Screen For Cervical Cancer, Dr Onai  Diura-Vere ZACH Technical Advisor said,”85 percent of women with cervical and HIV live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Women with HIV are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer compared with HIV…

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Zim Still Among High Cervical Cancer Burden Countries In Africa

ZIMBABWE is still in the top five cervical cancer high burden countries on the continent, despite numerous efforts by the ministry of health and child care (MoHCC) and development partners to address the scourge, a United Nations Aids (UNAIDS) report has gathered. By Michael Gwarisa According to the 2021 Global AIDS Update report, majority of the cervical cancer cases were linked to HIV. An estimated 85% of women with cervical cancer live in sub-Saharan Africa, where the proportion of women living with HIV among people with cervical cancer exceeded 40%…

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