Mpilo Central Hospital Resumes Radiotherapy Services
Mpilo Central Hospital has resumed radiotherapy services following the Government’s intervention which resulted in the deployment of a physicist.
The machines broke down on 15 August last year and were fixed last month but could not be run as the hospital had no physicist.
As a result, cancer patients from the Southern region had to travel to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, the only other hospital that offers cancer treatment in the country.
Mpilo acting chief executive Solwayo Ngwenya expressed gratitude to the Government for ensuring that the service resumes. He said:
We are very happy that the machines have finally been fixed and we have a physicist who was seconded by the Ministry of Health and Child Care to help administer the treatment.
We are particularly grateful that all the work which has been done so far was facilitated by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga during his last visit.
Head of the radiotherapy department Dr Tatenda Chingonzoh revealed that about 120 patients had been on the waiting list last year when the machine broke down. Said Chingonzoh:
We are happy that finally, we will resume offering radiotherapy at Mpilo although we are in need of a physicist.
The one we have is temporary and then the day he goes we will be forced to suspend the services as this type of treatment needs highly qualified personnel.
