China donates cancer screening equipment to Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is one of many African countries that enjoy strong ties with China. The Asian giant has been supporting the southern African nation’s healthcare sector since 1985.

Recently, a Chinese hospital donated advanced cancer screening equipment to Zimbabwe, which battles with high rates of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in young Zimbabwean women.

Authorities say there are at least 5,000 new cases every year.

“The problem of cervical cancer in this country is huge, and it is the leading cancer in this country. So it’s a big problem that we must all accept and we need to fight, because our women are dying because of cancer of the cervix and I think it’s the most preventable of cancers.”Dr David Parirenyatwa, the Health Minister said.

The Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital has donated state of the art screening equipment to Zimbabwe’s Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

Regular screening enables cervical cancer to be detected early, increasing the chances of recovery.

“We hope this will help in promoting the control and treatment of the cervical disease in Zimbabwe and enhance the well-being of the Zimbabwean people at large.” Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Huang Ping said.

With help from their Chinese counterparts, Parirenyatwa Hospital staffs have been offering free cervical cancer screenings targeting an initial 1,000 women.