Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe will soon take delivery of cancer diagnostic machines and medicines procured using funds raised through the sugar tax, the National Assembly heard on Wednesday.

Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Sleiman Kwidini said this while responding to a question from Proportional Representative Member Thokozani Khupe, who had asked about the progress on the cancer equipment procurement process.

The government introduced a sugar tax in 2024 to discourage excessive sugar consumption and to raise revenue for healthcare improvements, particularly in cancer treatment. Funds collected from the tax have been earmarked for the purchase of cancer diagnostic and treatment equipment.

Kwidini said deliveries of the machines was expected soon.

“So, the procurement process has been done now to the manufacturers or the producers of the new machines which are going to be used in the country. In the shortest time, there are very few machines which are going to be received, especially on these diagnostic machines which have been done,” he said.

He noted that, to avoid inflated prices seen in previous purchases, the government had opted to buy directly from manufacturers rather than through intermediaries.

“These diagnostic machines, in the past, we used to have middlemen who would make sure that we get those machines at an exorbitant price. We have seen that these middlemen would not offer new machines, they would give us second-hand machines,” he said.

Regarding cancer treatment, Kwidini confirmed that drug procurement was also underway.

“We know sometimes it may take three to six months for the shipment of drugs to come. For now, I do not have the exact timeline, but I know before the end of this year, we will be receiving some diagnostic machines and cancer treatment drugs which are going to be given and give service to the people,” he told legislators.

New Ziana