Zimpapers Logo

Sibongile Maruta Herald Reporter
Chinese medical experts yesterday donated cancer screening equipment to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals to promote the control and treatment of cervical cancer in Zimbabwe.

China, through Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, has partnered with Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals to support the national cervical cancer prevention programme.

Speaking at the official opening of the early screening and treatment camp and equipment donation ceremony in Harare yesterday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa commended the gesture.

“l would like to appreciate the equipment that you are donating to the organisation, the manpower that you have organised for this camp and all other resources that you have channelled towards this programme,” he said. “You have touched key elements in the health system.”

The cancer screening programme, he said, was consistent with the 100-day plan initiated by Government.

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Huang Ping said the Chinese government was committed to assisting Zimbabwe in advancing its health services and the people’s livelihood.

“The project that we are launching is a follow-up of yet another commitment made by Chinese President Xi Jinping in the United Nations Summit to implement 100 projects of maternal and child health in the developing countries in the next five years, and the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, which was held in 2015,” said Mr Huang. Experts from Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Care Hospital are helping with medical checks and operations on patients.

“Today we are commencing the second phase of the project and it is expected that about 1 000 patients will be given medical checks and those of them diagnosed will receive operation,” said Mr Huang.

“I hope the Chinese doctors and experts will work with the same dedication and professionalism as they did last year and the equipment donated will enhance the well-being of the Zimbabwean people at large.” According to the Cancer Registry of Zimbabwe, cervical cancer remains common among women in Zimbabwe, accounting for 33 percent in women.