IN a move that is likely to lessen the cancer burden in Zimbabwe, Stanbic bank has donated USD $20,000 to the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe (CAZ) to purchase chemo-therapy drugs for patients who fall under the ambit of CAZ.
By Patricia Mashiri
This donation also comes in the month when the world is commemorating breast cancer awareness month.
Speaking during the donation, Mr Simbarashe Mhuriro, the Non-Executive Boarder member of Stanbic said the donation made today marks eight years since Stanbic started the relationship with CAZ in which Stanbic puts its shoulder to the wheel in the fight against cancer.
The initiative kicked off in 2019 with the reopening of Tariro Hostel by CAZ a half -way house- which provides rent-free accommodation for cancer patients who do not stay in Harare when they come for their chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments at Parirenyatwa Hospital and Harare Central Hospital. In 2019 we refurbished and purchased bed linen and other utilities for the Hostel which had been lying idle since 2007,” said Mr Mhuriro.
He added that the donation comes as cancer continues to be a threat with over 400 cases recorded annually since 2009.
“According to the Zimbabwe Cancer Registry data, cancer is emerging as a major public health concern in the country. Zimbabwe is among the 30 highly burdened countries in the world in terms of HIV and tuberculosis, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Cancer is one of the four major NCDs together with Cardio vascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and chronic respiratory diseases.”
Cancer is among one of the deadly diseases in Zimbabwe with the highest being the cancer of the cervix seconded by the cancer of the breasts which accounts for about 13,5% in females.
Meanwhile, Mr Eugene Mlambo, Chairman of CAZ board was grateful for the continued support by Stanbic bank.
“We had a lot of support from Stanbic bank which we truly appreciate. I think the most notable one that we can still remember is in 2019 when we got the support to reopen Tariro Hostel. Today’s donation of USD $20. 000 to go towards chemo therapy again will really help our cancer patients. This support is really valued in these difficult times when you get such support its truly appreciated.
