MPs call for wider access of cancer equipment beyond major hospitals

Mpilo Central Hospital

Parliamentary Watch

HARARE — Parliament has heard that revenue collected under the sugar-content tax has been channelled towards procuring advanced cancer treatment and diagnostic equipment for Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, sparking fresh demands by lawmakers to decentralise oncology services to district health facilities.

The disclosure was made during debate in the National Assembly on the 2026 Mid-Term Budget and Economic Review and the 2027 Budget Strategy Paper, where legislators scrutinised Treasury’s allocation of targeted health levies.

Contributing to the debate, Hon. Chiduwa commended the government for ring-fencing sugar tax proceeds for healthcare, but warned that cancer has become widespread across rural and urban constituencies, necessitating treatment facilities closer to communities.

“On Health, the Hon. Minister indicated that 27.3 million was spent from sugar tax collections towards the procurement of two high-level radiotherapy machines and two low-energy machines for the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo General Hospital,” Hon. Chiduwa said.

“I want to applaud the Minister for using the sugar tax revenue for its intended purpose. However, what we are looking at, Hon. Minister, on this one is that cancer is now a pandemic in areas where we come from. The reports that we are getting from our constituency members are that cancer is now everywhere. We must not only focus on Parirenyatwa and Mpilo hospitals, but also make sure that these cancer machines are also devolved to district hospitals,” he added.

Responding to the debate, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Prof. Mthuli Ncube confirmed the expenditure, clarifying that the procurement package encompasses radiotherapy machinery, diagnostic tools, and oncology medications.

“Let me highlight the health sector where the issue of cancer machines was highlighted. Again, here we have been focused on spending the sugar content tax and beverages on acquiring cancer machines, drugs and other diagnostic machines. In fact, it is not just the treatment machines, those radiation machines, but it is also the other diagnostic machines as well that are included in that bill of 27.3 million, including some drugs,” Prof. Ncube said.

While the funding allocation was confirmed in Parliament, official statements did not specify delivery, installation, or commissioning timelines for the machines at Mpilo and Parirenyatwa. Confirmation is yet to be established from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, hospital management, and state procurement authorities regarding operational readiness.

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