Sugar Tax Funding Major Improvements in Cancer Care
By Tafara Pande
Zimbabwe’s sugar tax is beginning to make a noticeable impact on the healthcare sector, with the arrival of a second consignment of modern cancer treatment equipment aimed at enhancing diagnosis and treatment services across the country.
On Monday, Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora and Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube toured the newly delivered equipment at the NatPharm warehouse in Harare. The development reflects the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services and achieving its Vision 2030 goals.
The latest delivery includes advanced Linear Accelerator (LINAC) radiotherapy machines, which provide highly accurate cancer treatment by targeting tumours deep within the body while minimising damage to healthy tissues. The equipment forms part of Zimbabwe’s broader programme to modernise cancer care and improve patient outcomes.
Dr Mombeshora said the country has made significant progress from relying on a single operational cancer treatment machine at Parirenyatwa Hospital. He noted that the first phase of the programme has been completed and attention is now shifting to acquiring modern diagnostic equipment for early cancer detection. Future plans also include establishing cancer treatment centres in provinces such as Mashonaland West, Midlands and Masvingo to increase access to specialised services.
Professor Ncube highlighted that the sugar content tax introduced on beverages has generated resources that are now being channelled directly into strengthening the health sector. He said approximately US$30 million collected through the tax has already helped procure the first batch of cancer treatment equipment, demonstrating the value of domestic resource mobilisation.
According to the Finance Minister, the initiative is particularly important at a time when international funding for healthcare is declining globally. He said government is using locally generated resources to bridge the funding gap while improving citizens’ health and well-being, in line with the National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030.
The sugar tax, initially introduced as a public health intervention, is now playing a key role in financing specialised medical equipment, diagnostic services and healthcare infrastructure, helping to transform cancer care delivery in Zimbabwe.
Edited by Godfrey Gusha
