By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |
A newly established cancer management utility has urged opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) president, Morgan Tsvangirai, and others to seek treatment locally.
Tsvangirai was recently diagnosed with cancer of the colony and has been receiving treatment in South Africa.
Thokozani Khupe, one of his three deputies, has also revealed that she has cancer.
Many high profile people travel abroad to get specialised medical attention due to numerous challenges burdening the local health sector, but critics say some of the trips are unnecessary as their conditions can be cure locally.
President Robert Mugabe, reportedly dogged by prostate cancer and eye problems, has for years been receiving treatment in the Far East even though Zimbabwe boasts Dr Solomon Guramatunhu, a world renowned optician.
Oncocare, a new multi-million dollar facility established by local doctors which claims to deal with all forms of cancer, says getting medical attention locally is cost-effective.
It is located on the eastern outskirts of Harare and is the first medical institution in Zimbabwe exclusively treating cancer.
The institution provides cancer research and education, chemotherapy, palliative care and has a retail pharmacy.
Its chief executive officer, Ben Deda, encouraged Tsvangirai and others suffering from cancer to approach his institution for help.
“We have the latest technology and offer the same services that cancer patients get anywhere in the world. We therefore are inviting him (Tsvangirai) and other cancer patients who are going all the way to South Africa and India to come and get treatment here,” he told local journalists.
“One would be cutting costs by getting treated at home. Remember they are losing money on air fares, accommodation and food when they travel outside the country for exactly the same treatment they can get here,” added Deda.
Oncocare staff said they were working on making their services affordable to patients, among them those that have been getting help externally. Nehanda Radio
