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Zimbabwean cancer patients are increasingly turning to self-styled herbal clinics for treatment, as the country’s largest public hospital, Parirenyatwa, is the only facility with a functioning radiotherapy cancer treatment machine available to the general public.
With nearly 17 million people relying on this single resource, access to care remains a significant challenge.
Compounding this issue, Parirenyatwa has not had a functioning mammogram machine for 15 years. A mammogram is an X-ray imaging technique used to screen for breast cancer and other abnormalities in breast tissue, making its absence a critical gap in cancer care.
In an interview with AFP, Agnes Kativhu, 67, shared her experience of being unable to receive treatment for breast cancer after spending a month at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
Frustrated by the lack of options, she ultimately sought care at a herbal clinic. She said:
<blockquote>
I was a moving grave but am now well. I never want to go back to the hospital because it broke my heart that they failed to give me a single tablet.
</blockquote>
Although many herbalists are unaccredited, unregulated, and lack proven results, they are increasingly sought after by Zimbabweans who feel let down by a failing public health system.
Nothando Mutizira, head of oncology at Parirenyatwa, told AFP that the single radiotherapy cancer treatment machine available is inadequate to meet the growing demand for cancer care. She said:
<blockquote>
However, we are managing to provide radiotherapy services with this single unit.
</blockquote>
Simbarashe James Tafirenyika, president of the Zimbabwe Municipalities Nurses and Allied Workers Union, said that hospitals are struggling with a severe shortage of medicines and essential supplies, such as gloves and syringes.
He pointed out that even when hospitals do have equipment, regular power outages often render these machines inoperable.
Tafirenyika also noted that public hospitals are losing staff to the expanding private sector and countries like Britain, as well as neighbouring nations such as South Africa, Zambia, and Mozambique.
Lovemore Makurirofa from the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe told AFP that there is a troubling reliance on the perceived benefits of herbal remedies, alongside a growing mistrust of hospital treatments. He said:
<blockquote>
Many people fear both the disease and its treatments, avoiding chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
When you ask patients why it has taken them that long to come and seek medical attention, usually they will tell you that they’ve been using herbal medicines for quite a long time.
When patients eventually come, they come either with stage three or stage four cancer which is more difficult to treat, more expensive to treat and also the outcomes are much poorer.
</blockquote>
Never Chirimo, 66, is the herbalist who runs the Harare centre where Kativhu sought help for her breast cancer. Confident in his abilities, Chirimo claims he can treat any type of cancer.
Another of his patients, 58-year-old Wilfred Manatsa, shared his experience of spending $25,000 on treatment for prostate cancer and Kaposi sarcoma at a private hospital.
Faced with an additional $7,000 cost for surgery that he could not afford, Manatsa decided to put his faith in herbal remedies.
He has since set aside his prescribed medications and now relies solely on herbs for his treatment.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Zimbabwe doesn't have enough machines to treat cancer in public hospitals, so many people are turning to herbalists for help. The main hospital only has one radiotherapy machine and no mammogram machine, making it hard for people to get proper care. Some people feel let down by the hospitals and think herbal remedies might be better. But doctors warn that herbal treatments might not be as effective as hospital treatments and could lead to worse outcomes. Due to shortages of medicines and equipment, some people are seeking alternative treatments, like herbs, even though they may not be proven to work.

Zimbabwe’s Cancer Patients Turn To Herbalists Over Ailing Health System

Herbalists in Bulawayo have continued to defy a directive by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) to stop selling their products two weeks ago.
As reported by the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/herbalists-defy-mcaz-ban-and-continue-selling-potions/">Chronicle</a>, the herbalists claim their remedies treat ailments ranging from hypertension to supernatural afflictions.
MCAZ spokesperson Anderson Kaiyo said the banned herbs are not regulated and may pose serious health risks to the public.
He warned that those who defy the ban risk a heavy fine or imprisonment.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police will raid and arrest people who sell herbs and medicines illegally. Said Asst Comm Nyathi:
<blockquote>
As the police, we conduct joint operations with the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe who guide us especially when there are issues of concern.
Herbalists have to be regulated or they risk being raided by the police.
</blockquote>
A herbalist identified as Grace, who has been processing herbals for 20 years told the Chronicle that their products are natural, safe and effective. She said:
<blockquote>
I started manufacturing herbals such as aphrodisiac root (muremberembe) which is crushed and mixed with hot water – cleaning the system.
Mutanda ngozi is another herb for protection from witchcraft and sorcery, the roots of the plant is protective properties also used to cure wounds and chronic diseases.
The use of traditional medicines has been associated with witchcraft and traditional health practitioners have been labelled as witch-doctors.
This negative stereotype of the traditional health system dates back to colonial times when European missionaries introduced the Western health care system.
People were no longer confident in their traditional healthcare system because of the stigma that had been attached to its use.
I also sell tamarind for the reduction of high blood pressure, diarrhoea, and constipation and wound healing.
</blockquote>
Grace said she does not fear the MCAZ because she knows that her herbals are harmless and helpful.
David Mlilo, a traditional healer said it is difficult to regulate herbalists as most of them are operating individually. He said:
<blockquote>
I noticed that there is a collective decision in the usage of herbs as traditional is guided by idlozi lakibo, however, traditional leaders should accept that they cannot treat all diseases for instance, I have adopted a medical machine to check for BP and diabetes.
Some people have died due to some traditional healers claiming to treat diseases like AIDS.
</blockquote>
MCAZ recently warned the public against advertising medicines on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter).
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Herbalists Defy Medicines Control Authority

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has said Superlife Total Care (STC30) has not been registered with the Authority and is therefore illegal.
STC30 is herbal medicine trending on social media and its promoters claim that it cures almost every other disease and condition.
In a statement, MCAZ Acting Director General Richard Rukwata said STC 30 has not been approved for sale in Zimbabwe and members of the public should avoid buying the product.
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe is the regulator mandated to safeguard the safety of public and animal health. Said Rukwata:
<blockquote>
Superlife Total Care (STC30) and many similar products with their numerous medicinal and health claims make them registrable products.
However, STC30 is currently not registered and not approved for sale in Zimbabwe.
As the Authority we have noted the continued advertising and marketing of STC30 products, especially on social media.
We urge members of the public to desist from buying such products which have not gone through any clinical trials and therefore their safety and efficacy have not been proven. Members of the public are encouraged to buy medicines from registered premises and persons. These lists can be found on the online register found on our <a href="https://onlineservices.mcaz.co.zw/onlineregisterformPersonsRegister.aspx">website</a>.
</blockquote>
Rukwata warned that those marketing and distributing STC30 are breaking the law. He said:
<blockquote>
The continued marketing and advertising of such unregistered “medicinal” products is not only an act of criminality but also puts the lives of the citizens at risk.
As the Authority responsible for protecting public and animal health, MCAZ enforces adherence to standards by manufacturers and distributors and will exercise its statutory mandate against the perpetrators of these criminal acts.
</blockquote>
|<a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2022/09/16/herbal-product-stc-30-illegal-in-zimbabwe-mcaz/"> Health Times</a>

MCAZ Says Herbal Product, STC 30 Is Illegal In Zimbabwe

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