Harare (New Ziana)— The Zimbabwe Brain Tumour Association (ZBTA) will mark two decades of advocacy this year by hosting a caregiving forum in Harare on Friday, as it steps up efforts to support patients and families affected by brain tumours in a country where access to specialised care remains limited.
Founded in 2005 from a small support group in Harare, the ZBTA has grown into one of the country the key patient-advocacy organisations in the country, working to promote early diagnosis, treatment, psychosocial support and public awareness.
The association says its work is especially important in Zimbabwe, where reliable brain-tumour data remains limited and patients are often referred to just three major centres namely Harare Hospital, Parirenyatwa Hospital and Mpilo Hospital.
ZBTA director Christine Mungoshi told New Ziana that survival rates remain low because Zimbabwe has a severe shortage of neurosurgeons.
“We used to have three neurosurgeons for fourteen million people. That meant a patient could wait for as long as three months to see a neurosurgeon,” she said.
She said the work of the association is centred on amplifying patient voices. “The patient has got a voice, and we need to amplify the patient’s voice so that they can be heard. It’s more about equipping and empowering the patient and the caregiver,” she added.
The Caregivers’ Meeting will train caregivers on the importance of creating a safe and compassionate space for patients and their families and participants will also exchange practical tips as well as learn from one another’s experiences.
Organisers said the event is themed “Together we care, together we heal,” and is meant to strengthen solidarity among those living with or supporting people with brain tumours.
Mungoshi said the ZBTA has joined the Union for International Cancer Control, one of the world’s largest cancer organisations, to strengthen advocacy and partnerships.
“We believe that once we engage the Ministry of Health, maybe things will change,” she said.
The cancer burden in Zimbabwe remains significant, with the Global Cancer Observatory estimating 17 725 new cancer cases and 11 739 deaths in the country.
Mungoshi said broader cancer pressures, together with shortages of specialists and limited awareness, continue to make early intervention and patient support critical.
The function forms part of ZBTA’s broader outreach to raise awareness and build care networks across Zimbabwe, while reinforcing its mission of hope, strength and collective healing since its founding in 2005.
New Ziana
