INTERNATIONAL service organisation, Lions International, on Saturday held a fundraising event to mobilise resources for Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals’ paediatric ward that is dedicated to the management of children with cancer and other haematological conditions.
The first vice-district governor for Lions International covering Zimbabwe and Botswana, Bothwell Nyajeka, said fighting childhood cancer was one of their strategic service pillars.
“We identified Parirenyatwa as an important institution in this initiative, which is sadly affected by aged infrastructure and a general lack of resources,” Nyajeka said.
“We, therefore, challenged ourselves to find ways to make an impact at this institution and this fundraising concert has been an important first step for us in providing meaningful and sustainable assistance.”
According to the National Cancer Registry, a total of 253 childhood cancers (age 0-14) of all races were registered in 2017.
Another Lions International member, Aaron Musengi, said their immediate target was to improve conditions at Parirenyatwa’s paediatric ward.
“Because medical equipment is generally pricey, we hope that in the long term we will be able, through our efforts in demonstrating our commitment in the fight against cancer, to attract and formulate strategic partnerships with corporates and entities which have the capacity to provide capital and operational support for cancer treatment equipment such as radiation therapy equipment, chemotherapy equipment, among others,” he said.
Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, one of the few cancer referral centres in the country, has been having intermittent operations in its cancer unit owing to outdated and malfunctioning equipment.
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Zimbabwe’s healthcare system is in tatters, with only a few cancer treatment machines available.
The few available machines are either out of service and do not cater for cancer patients in the country, leaving many in quandary.
