Health Reporter
Zimbabwe has a severe shortage of oncologists, with only four serving at least 7 000 cancer patients.
Director of Health Services in the City of Harare, Dr Prosper Chonzi, said the shortage of the cancer specialists remained a hindrance to comprehensive treatment and care for cancer patients.
His comments follow the procurement of five new radiotherapy machines to be installed at Parirenyatwa and Mpilo Central hospitals.
Radiotherapy services and the oncologists are only available at these two institutions, despite the burden of the disease across the country.
Zimbabwe also does not have enough hematologists, pediatric oncologists and oncology nurses among other critical personnel in cancer response.
There are many different kinds of cancers that can develop in any organ including the lungs, colon, breast, skin, bones or nerve tissue.