Government considering introducing a Cancer Levy

Health and Child Care Minister Dr. David Parirenyatwa has revealed that the government is considering introducing a cancer levy. This follows the realisation by the government that the majority of Zimbabweans cannot afford treatement for cancer. According to Mpilo Central Hospital head of nuclear medicine Dr Xolani Ndlovu one course of cancer treatment costs at least $6 000 a year. This is without doctor’s consultation fees and the special diet that patients need.

Said Parirenyatwa:

We are having an active discussion on the cancer levy since we have an Aids levy. We tried to treat HIV-related cancers under the Aids levy. However, because the cancer drugs are so expensive, they need to be looked at separately. In fact the most expensive drug in all medicine is for cancer treatment,

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