Zimbabwe is intensifying efforts to improve women’s health by integrating breast and cervical cancer services into primary health care. This approach aims to bring prevention, early detection, and treatment closer to communities, ensuring equitable access to quality care. Cervical cancer accounts for nearly 41% of all cancers among women in Zimbabwe, followed by breast cancer at 13%, according to the National Cancer Registry. To tackle this burden, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, is strengthening integrated cancer services across the health system.
In July 2025, WHO provided medical equipment worth US$20,000 to support primary health-level service delivery, enabling screening for noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension alongside cancer detection. Building on this support, MoHCC and WHO conducted training-of-trainers sessions in August 2025 for health professionals from Mashonaland West and Matabeleland South provinces. Twenty-five health professionals were trained to integrate the management of breast and cervical cancers, mental health, and chronic diseases, covering prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and coordinated care.
The trained professionals are now transferring this knowledge to frontline health workers to enhance prevention, screening, and treatment at the community level. In Karoi, seven primary health care nurses and village health workers have already benefited from the sessions. Village health worker Angeline Mukusa emphasized raising community awareness about early detection and HPV vaccination for girls, highlighting that timely intervention can save lives. District medical officer Dr Munyaradzi Chidaushe noted that the approach is improving service delivery by enabling village health workers to identify and refer women suspected of having breast or cervical cancer, reinforcing the importance of prevention.
These initiatives are part of the Women’s Integrated Care for Cancer Services (WICS) project, led by the WHO Regional Office for Africa with support from Roche. Implemented in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, the project strengthens integrated breast and cervical cancer services within primary health care. Zimbabwe’s established cervical cancer program provides a strong foundation for integrating additional cancer and chronic disease services. Dr Desta Tiruneh, WHO Representative in Zimbabwe, emphasized that through the commitment of health workers, leadership of MoHCC, and support from WHO and partners, Zimbabwe is taking decisive steps toward reducing breast and cervical cancer burdens and ensuring equitable, compassionate health care for all women.
