Online Reporter
Tawanda Chenana-Correspondent
WE, in the village, have not been spared from the effects of the cancer scourge, as daily we are losing family members.
In the early days of 2024, a key announcement from the Government offered hope to countless citizens grappling with the devastating effects of cancer.
It was not the first time cancer had been a focal point for national attention, but it was certainly one of the most promising.
The Government’s decision to allocate funds raised from the sugar tax to fight cancer is a monumental step forward in the battle against this insidious disease.
Already, in the months since its introduction, the initiative has raised over US$30 million, a figure that promises not just a number, but a lifeline to those in desperate need of care, detection and treatment. Cancer, in its many forms, has become a scourge upon society. It touches individuals, families and communities alike, striking without discrimination and leaving behind emotional, physical and financial scars that last a lifetime. Its prevalence is no longer limited to certain demographics or age groups, and in many ways, it has become an uninvited guest at the dinner tables of thousands.
The numbers are staggering: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cancer is now the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for millions of lives lost every year.
It is no surprise, then, that the establishment of more comprehensive and accessible cancer treatment centres is not just a welcome initiative – it is a necessity. In this context, the idea of funding cancer treatment through an innovative mechanism like the sugar tax shows a growing recognition of the need to address public health through sustainable means. The sugar tax, which was introduced as a measure to curb the rising rates of obesity and related health conditions, particularly diabetes and heart disease, has now found an even more critical purpose.
What started as a seemingly separate initiative for managing health risks is now an integrated part of a much larger national health strategy.
We have learnt from the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, that funds raised from this tax will go directly into building state-of-the-art treatment centres equipped with the latest medical technologies as well as repair and procure new machine at the two cancer treatment centres at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo Hospital.
This effort holds the potential to drastically reduce the impact cancer has on the nation, offering early detection and advanced treatment methods to all who need it.
It is not just about the machines, but is about creating a healthcare infrastructure that is built to last, one that is designed with both the present and the future in mind. The machines – whether they be for early detection, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy – will serve as the tools of recovery.
As this vision of expanded treatment capabilities and centres takes shape, it is important to recognise that cancer treatment goes far beyond just a medical regimen. Cancer is a disease that brings with it an overwhelming sense of fear, confusion and sometimes even isolation. The hope, however, is that by bringing advanced treatment closer to home, we can alleviate some of that fear. Patients will no longer have to travel great distances or endure long waits in crowded facilities to receive treatment.
They will have access to world-class facilities. For many, the cost of cancer treatment is another barrier to survival.
In developing nations, the financial burden of treating cancer can be astronomical. This reality means that many who would otherwise benefit from advanced treatment options are forced to make impossible choices between paying for life-saving care and meeting basic needs.
This sugar tax will be solving that problem. By leveraging public health funding, the Government has created a way to ensure that no one will have to forgo treatment due to financial constraints.
This is a major step towards equity in healthcare, where access to life-saving treatment is determined by need.
The decision to use the sugar tax as a source of funding for cancer treatment also speaks volumes about the nation’s growing understanding of public health as an interconnected web. It is a recognition that health issues do not exist in silos.
The battle against obesity, diabetes and heart disease is not separate from the fight against cancer, but it is part of the same broader fight. By using the funds generated from a tax, Government is addressing both the immediate crisis and the long-term implications of poor lifestyle choices.
This approach is both pragmatic and visionary. It ensures that the solutions to one health crisis are not only focused on preventing it but also on mitigating its impact when prevention fails.
This initiative can be seen as a model for how governments can begin to think about health spending in the future, less as an isolated allocation of funds for specific illnesses, and more as a comprehensive strategy aimed at improving the overall well-being of the population.
The revenue from the sugar tax is a perfect example of this broader vision, as it addresses the root causes of illness while also providing critical resources for immediate treatment needs.
It is a model that balances prevention and care, a two-pronged approach that is necessary if we are to confront the full scope of public health challenges.
Moreover, the fact that over US$30 million has already been raised since the tax was introduced in the 2024 National Budget is a clear indicator of public support.
This is not just a Government-led initiative, but it is a movement that has been embraced by the people. The public’s willingness to accept the sugar tax as a necessary tool for health reform demonstrates an understanding of the larger picture.
It shows that citizens recognise the toll cancer has taken on their communities, and are willing to contribute, even in small ways, towards making a difference.
It is an acknowledgment that the fight against cancer, while daunting, is not one that can be won by the medical community alone it requires all of us to chip in.
As the funds continue to pour in and Government moves forward with its plans, the vision for these cancer treatment centres becomes clearer.
Plans for new centres have already sparked a conversation about the future of healthcare in the country, and the role that taxes can play in financing public health initiatives.
By redirecting the sugar tax revenue towards cancer care, Government has not only acknowledged the growing threat that cancer poses but has taken an active, meaningful step towards alleviating its burden.
This is a moment of hope, a moment that signals the beginning of a brighter future for cancer patients, their families and our society as a whole. – The Patriot.
