Bulawayo, (New Ziana)-There is need for a comprehensive response to breast cancer, anchored on early detection, accurate diagnosis, timely treatment, specialised skills, technology and strong partnerships, an official has said.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Bulawayo Metropolitan province Judith Ncube said this on Monday while receiving audiovisual equipment donated by the Association of Presbyterians of the United Kingdom at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) School of Nursing, where the second Bulawayo Breast Cancer Masterclass Symposium is underway.
The three-day symposium, which began on Monday and ends on Wednesday, brings together local healthcare workers and breast cancer specialists from the United Kingdom for skills transfer and professional development.
“Breast cancer remains a major health challenge,” SHE SAID.
She SAID THe donated equipment, comprising a digital video camera, smart projector, camera stand and memory cards — would widen access to specialised surgical training during the symposium and subsequent masterclasses.
“This is much more than a donation of equipment. It is a donation of opportunity, it is a donation of knowledge, it is a donation that will multiply skills and ultimately save lives,” she said.
The equipment will enable specialised procedures to be captured and projected onto a large screen, allowing more doctors, nurses and other health professionals to follow live demonstrations without overcrowding operating theatres.
Ncube said the technology would transform a single surgical procedure into a learning platform for many practitioners, strengthening continuous professional development and supporting the growth of telemedicine and remote medical education.
She commended the UBH and the Association of Presbyterians of the United Kingdom for sustaining a partnership that is advancing knowledge exchange, skills transfer and strengthening the health delivery system in the country.
Ncube noted that progress had been recorded since the inaugural masterclass last year, including the training of more than 20 doctors and 20 nurses in breast cancer diagnostic processes and point-of-care ultrasound skills.
She said a draft curriculum for a post-basic breast care nursing diploma had been developed and submitted to the Ministry of Health and Child Care for accreditation.
“In 2025 alone, 66 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed through the Combined Breast and Cervical Cancer Detection Unit at UBH,” said, adding that accessible screening services were critical in improving outcomes for patients.
Ncube implored the UBH to ensure that the donated equipment is fully utilised, maintained and incorporated into future training programs so that its benefits reach as many healthcare professionals and patients as possible.
New Ziana
