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meant to ease problems of cancer patients in Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the official launch of the Thokozani Khupe Cancer Foundation in Harare on Wednesday Khupe said the foundation would alleviate patients’ plight.
“Cancer patients are supposed to buy drugs worth US$450 every three weeks for six months. How many women are going through that predicament?

“How about those women who cannot come to Parirenyatwa or Mpilo hospitals? The truth of the matter is we are leaving these women to die,” she said.
She said her foundation was also expected to advocate for a speedy process of getting diagnosed patients on treatment.
DPM Khupe is a cancer survivor.

She said breast cancer awareness campaigns, mobile clinics, a hospital and fundraising activities were some of the programmes earmarked by her foundation.
She said mobile clinics were meant to reach out to those who could not afford to come to Harare and Bulawayo for treatment.
Parirenyatwa and Mpilo Hospitals are the only cancer centres in Zimbabwe. DPM Khupe said the hospital planned by her foundation would offer affordable services to patients.

“I hope the TKCF will attract many donors such that we will be able to provide affordable treatment to all those who need it,” she said.
Other speakers who spoke at the launch reiterated the need for affordable and accessible cancer treatment.
Women’s University in Zimbabwe chancellor Professor Hope Sadza, a board member, said Government should set aside a fund for cancer.
“Just like HIV and Aids, Government should set aside a fund for cancer so that people get treated at reasonable costs,” Prof Sadza said.

Statistics indicate that breast cancer affects one in every 10 women.
Statistics further indicate that one in every hundred men is affected by cancer.
According to the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe, unlike most types of cancers, breast cancer is curable if detected early.