By Rudo Shoko

GOVERNMENT is mulling plans to introduce a cancer levy as the country continues to record an increase in incidences and deaths from the cancer scourge.
Latest statistics from the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry indicate that a total of 7 018 new cancer cases were recorded in 2014, which comprise 2 981 males and
4 037 females, double those recorded five years ago.
In 2009, a total of 3 519 new cancer cases were recorded, comprising 1 427 males (40,6 percent) and 2 092 females (59,6 percent).
Cancer has become the biggest killer, overtaking HIV/AIDS chiefly due to treatment costs which are out of reach for the majority of Zimbabweans.
According to the Health and Child Care Ministry, radiotherapy costs between US$3 000 and
US$4 000 for a whole session.
Chemotherapy costs between US$100 and US$1 000 per cycle.
Depending on the stage the cancer is at, the patient might need up to 12 cycles.
It is against this background that Government is proposing a cancer levy to help cancer patients.
Minister of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa recently said Government is looking into diverting some part of the AIDS levy to bankroll cancer treatment.
“The Government is on the verge of trying to subdue cancer deaths which are on the rise by introducing cancer levy.
“It is also looking into diverting some of the AIDS levy funds and diverting them to bankroll cancer treatment,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.
The AIDS levy, an initiative of Government in January 2000 and collected through a parliamentary special tax act, requires formal employers and employees in Zimbabwe to contribute three percent of their income to the fund.
Conceived in response to the HIV pandemic and limited Government funding, the funding showed a unique and substantive provision of anti-retroviral drugs.
Health experts opine the rapid increase in cancer cases and deaths are due to the adoption of Western lifestyles and diet.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases characterised by the growth of abnormal cells beyond their usual boundaries that then invade adjoining parts of the body.
WHO states that cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and accounted for a 8,8 million deaths in 2015.
A study published by the International Journal of Cancer indicated that cancer patients in Harare are not likely to survive five years after undergoing diagnosis at present levels of care, which is a greater call to action.
This is specially so given that the requisite medicines, technologies and services are not widely available and accessible due to their high costs, resulting in a lot of premature deaths.
In an interview with Patriot Health, the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe, information, research and monitoring officer Lovemore Makurirofa said that, as an association, they have been advocating for funds for some time to try and cater for cancer patients.
He added that as an organisation, they are open to any local funds the Government might offer them to help reduce the cost for cancer treatments or even make it free if possible.
“We are open to any local funds which are sustainable, initiated by the Government to help make the cost affordable for every Zimbabwean,” said Makurirofa.
Zimbabweans have welcomed the proposal, saying it will go a long way in helping cancer patients.
Thirty-three-year-old Tendai Sibanda says the introduction of cancer levy is a noble idea but the initiative must not affect AIDS patients who are benefitting from the AIDS levy.
“The introduction of a cancer levy is a good idea but it must not come at the expense of other levies, hence the Government should look for other funds and donors that can assist the initiative,” said Sibanda.
However, Joyce Maponga, who recently lost her mother to cancer, said one of the main reasons cancer mortality is high in Zimbabwe is because it is not detected earlier.
“Cancer mortality in Zimbabwe is high due to limited access to early detection and late presentation of the disease,” said Maponga.
“My mother died prematurely and her cancer was detected late when it was already on the last stage which is stage four and there was nothing the doctors could do.”
In June alone, the country lost high profile personalities Dick Chingaira aka Cde Chinx and journalist Sharon Muguwu who both succumbed to cancer.