By Eugenie Muchetu
Harare, (New Ziana) — Matinetsa Jingwa, a 42-year-old mother from Zvimba, recalls the moment she first noticed something was wrong. After enduring two grueling rounds of radiotherapy and chemotherapy at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, she laments not seeking treatment earlier after her diagnosis of cervical cancer in 2022.
“I wish I had sought treatment sooner,” she says, reflecting on the high cost and limited access to care that haunt so many women in Zimbabwe.
Each year, 3 043 women in Zimbabwe receive a cervical cancer diagnosis, and 1 976 succumb to the disease, an alarming statistic that translates to five to six preventable deaths daily, according to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, with the grim reality touching nearly every family, as cancer often strikes parents, siblings, or friends.
A beacon of hope however emerges with the development of the Colpopen, a portable, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered colposcopy device created by the startup Medstake.com. The innovative tool aims to transform cervical cancer screening in Zimbabwe, where the disease remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women.
The Colpopen, which is both a device and software with advanced imaging technology and tele-medicine functionality, allows specialists to remotely analyse images and provide expert diagnostics, regardless of location.
By combining point-of-care Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing with the Colpopen, this approach envisions a future where no woman dies from a preventable, treatable cancer.
According to the 2019 Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry, cervical cancer accounts for 22 percent of all cancers in the country, disproportionately affecting Black women at a rate of 40.8 percent.
Persistent infection with high-risk HPV strains is the primary cause while factors such as smoking, HIV/AIDS, early sexual activity, and a family history of cervical cancer further elevate risk.
Set to launch this month, the Colpopen promises to expand screening access, particularly in rural areas where traditional colposcopy facilities are scarce.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), currently, only 20 percent of eligible women in Zimbabwe undergo screening via Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Cervicography (VIAC) and HPV testing,
VIAC relies on bulky, expensive equipment, often priced over US$10 000, limiting screenings to urban centres. With only 200 sites offering VIAC screening and 60 sites HPV testing across Zimbabwe, many women remain vulnerable.
Dr Lindelwe Ncube, founder and chief executive officer of Medstake.com, developed the Colpopen during his Master’s degree thesis at the University of Zimbabwe.
“Medstake.com is driving the design, testing, and deployment of this system,” he explains. The Colpopen aims to enhance accessibility for the 60 percent of Zimbabweans living in rural areas.
“By making cervical cancer screening affordable and portable, we can boost coverage to over 70 percent, aligning with WHO’s 2030 elimination goals,” Dr. Ncube says.He estimates that achieving the target could cut cervical cancer deaths
by more than 50 percent, saving hundreds of lives annually.
The device’s software on smartphones and tablets, allows for high-resolution imaging and real-time consultations with specialists. Priced between US$1 000 and US$1 500, the Colpopen costs 80 percent less than traditional colposcopy equipment. Despite her struggles, Matinetsa expresses relief that her cancer remains treatable at stage 2B.
“I was afraid to go to the hospital,” she recalls. “People told me I’d lose my uterus.” She endured severe bleeding and anaemia before finally seeking help.
Her journey through treatment revealed the broader issues facing patients like her. Many, including Matinetsa, lack the resources for consistent care, often relying on free medication programmes.
“I sold everything I had just to afford treatment,” she says, her voice heavy with emotion.
Cervical cancer progresses slowly, beginning with pre-cancerous cells that can be detected and removed if caught early. Dr. Ncube emphasises that the Colpopen enhances diagnostic accuracy, utilising AI to identify cancerous lesions.
“Now, VIAC is no longer just a nurse’s judgment; AI assists in detection,” he notes.
The device is now ready. “The software is ready for studies, and with a few tweaks to the camera system, it should be ready by Innovation Week in May,” said Dr Ncube.
Testing is scheduled for June, with preliminary findings to be presented at the Zimbabwe Annual Medical Conference in August.
The device’s rollout is urgent. Delays could allow more “cancer eggs” to develop untreated. Each Colpopen centre will require at least one trained nurse, enabling specialists at larger hospitals to review images remotely, expanding their reach to underserved areas.
Medstake.com plans to manufacture the Colpopen locally, reducing costs and fostering innovation. This initiative aligns with the WHO’s strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue, aiming for “90-70-90” targets by 2030: 90 percent of girls vaccinated against HPV, 70 percent of women screened, and 90 percent receiving timely treatment.
Countries like the United Kingdom enjoy lower cervical cancer rates due to routine screenings, such as Pap smears, starting at age 21. The Colpopen could significantly reduce late-stage treatment costs while improving health outcomes.
The urgency is clear. If road accidents claimed five to six lives each day, public outcry would demand immediate action. Yet, cervical cancer quietly takes the same toll, claiming nearly 2,000 women annually. These women deserve advocates and life-saving interventions.
The swift approval and rollout of the Colpopen could mark a transformative step in combating cervical cancer in Zimbabwe. By expanding access to essential screening services, especially in rural areas, this innovation holds the potential to save countless lives and move the nation closer to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health issue. Progress like this highlights the vital intersection of technology and healthcare in addressing pressing challenges.
New Ziana
