The National AIDS Council has intensified the drive to fight cervical cancer as part of its broader effort to contain new HIV infections and end AIDS by 2030.
By Michael Gwarisa
Speaking in an interview with HealthTimes on the sidelines of the this year’s eventful Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union Stroke Play Golf Tournament, NAC Chief Executive Officer Dr Bernard Madzima said the target was to raise plus or minus US$100,000 from the fundraising event.
NAC Pro-am golf tournament kicked off on Tuesday and the professional tournament also kicked off on Tuesday. The response has been overwhelming and we are very happy to be part of the organisation that promote sport in Zimbabwe but more specifically to the HIV and AIDS program. We are very happy that this is a fundraising initiative and we are very happy that our corporate partners have responded positively in dominating to the cause.
“They have donated equipment, they have donated cash. The aim was to raise around US$100,000. I am not sure as yet. This money is used mainly to support heath based interventions in HIV programing, in Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs),” said Dr Madzima.
Later in the evening at the Prize giving ceremony, Dr Madzima said annual cancer cases were worrying.
“Evidence has shown that of the 7 000 new annual cancer cases, 18% are cervical and that women living with HIV are ten times more likely to develop cervical cancer. The number of new cervical cancer infections has been rising, from an estimated 1500 in 2017 to over 2500 in 2021, with accompanying deaths also rising, from 1400 in 2017 to 2000 in 2021,” he said.
Dr Madzima added that the new infections and deaths have been rising despite the fact that cervical cancer is potentially preventable and curable through vaccination, screening, early detection and treatment. “Given these worrying statistics, the National AIDS Council decided to integrate cancer within our response architecture and have over the years invested significant resources towards screening equipment, training, awareness campaigns and medications,” said Dr Madzima.
“We have taken advantage of our ubiquitous structures, which exist at sub-national levels to launch massive HIV -cancer awareness campaigns. On the strength of these structures and multi-sectoral partnerships, we have been able to roll back the HIV epidemic, animated by achievement of the 90-90-90 targets wherein the incidence has declined from 2% in 1999 to 0.24% in 2020 and HIV prevalence from over 25% to 11.58% during the same period. We have expanded antiretroviral therapy The ART coverage from a mere 4000 people in 2004 to over 1 200 000 in 2021,” said Dr Madzima.
“PSH offered free counselling for those that are positive and for the downstream treatment on behalf Qiagen of Germany, I would like to thank u for such an astounding turnout we look forward to a continued partnership with the 1st lady of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Health to give every woman the opportunity to have her screened for HPV because no woman needs to die from cancer. I do hope that what we say, that the testing n sampling is easy, is not painful and is quick, was demonstrated clearly.”
This year’s edition of the Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union StrokePlay Golf Tournament was worth USD 34,000 prize money, made up of contributions by NAC (USD 18,000) and Diagnostics Laboratory Suppliers (Pvt) Ltd (USD 16,000).
The Diagnostics Laboratory Suppliers are the local partner of Qiagen, the suppliers of the gold star WHO pre-qualified cervical cancer test kits.
The event was also supported by Moonlight Cancer Trust, a subsidiary of Moonlight Funeral Insurance, who provided beverages for the golfers.
“Low levels of awareness of cervical cancer among women has also been identified as a hindrance towards screening and early detection. The Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union Stroke Play Golf Tournament this year, which attracted 145 players has therefore been undertaken to raise awareness about this disease among women and promote utilisation of available services,” said Dr Madzima.
Meanwhile, partners and direct recipients/beneficiaries from the fund raising took turns to applaud NAC for fund raising for cancer.
Ambassador Gertrude Takawira, Board Chair Island Hospice said the fund raising had come at a time the need for support for palliative care was high.
“This is not the first time you are coming on board to assist Island Hospice, we are very grateful for this. As we continue to seek support for palliative care, you will agree with me that there has not been a time such as we are experiencing where comprehensive care for physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing is required across spectrum,” said Ambassador Takawira.
She added that the support from the fund raising will capacitate them to reach more clients and ensure support is rendered cross everyone who needs it.
“Funds received here will go towards that cause. Next week, we also aim to raise funds in support for our patients and clients.”
Mrs Eunice Garan’anga, Executive Director HOSPAZ weighed in and said the donations make life and programing easier and they aim to buy breast prosthesis or breast form is an artificial breast used after a surgery in which the breast has been removed or altered
“In 2022, we supported 200 cancer patients with Chemotherapy drugs. When we say chemotherapy drugs, we are taking patients from session one of the chemotherapy to whatever sessions they would have been prescribed. In the past, we only gave them chemotherapy drugs but then we realised that there were not even affording the supporting drugs so now we are giving them the whole kit,” said Mrs Garan’anga.
Junior Mavhu, General Manager, Cancer Association of Zimbabwe said there are going to use the money from the fundraising to help people with albinism.
“You are doing a good job. This time around we said we want to start from prevention. We are targeting people living with albinism. We want to buy creams for them because you know people struggle with cancers of the skin,” said Mavhu.
