Silent struggles: The hidden emotional toll on Zimbabwe’s cancer caregivers

Silent struggles: The hidden emotional toll on Zimbabwe’s cancer caregivers

Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health EditorIN the hushed corridors of Zimbabwe’s oncology wards, where the faint hum of medical machines mingles with whispered prayers, unseen battles unfold daily.Here, caregivers; the doctors, nurses, and counsellors who walk beside cancer patients bear a weight rarely spoken of.Behind every reassuring smile lies exhaustion; behind every word of comfort, a heart quietly breaking under the strain of watching life slip away, one diagnosis at a time.Each day, they navigate the delicate balance between offering comfort to patients battling the relentless grip of cancer and grappling with their own heartache.More than 7 000 new cancer diagnoses flood in each year, painting a somber artmosphere where hope and despair intertwine.As oncologists and support staff don their brave faces, they silently carry the weight of unspoken grief, wiping away tears before stepping into the next ward, bearing witness to stories of loss, love, and resilience.It is in these harrowing moments that the emotional burden becomes palpable, manifesting not just in their work but in the essence of who they are.For these dedicated caregivers, the journey is as much about healing others as it is about wrestling with their own silent pain.Renowned oncologist Dr. Anna Mary Nyakabau, who has spent over three decades treating cancer, says the hardest part of her work is seeing young mothers battling advanced cancers without financial or emotional support.“When a patient has no support system, it breaks my heart,” she said. “It’s even worse when they can’t afford treatment. My hope is that one day we’ll treat patients without them worrying about paying out of pocket.”She added, “When I see a young mother with advanced cancer, I don’t just see a patient. I see children who may grow up without their mother, a family on the verge of breaking,” she said. “It’s not just medical. You carry their fears, their hopes, and sometimes their final moments. Even when you leave the hospital, you carry them home in your heart.”Nurse Muriel Njerere describes the emotional toll of the work as overwhelming.“You see your patients and imagine your own family in their place,” she said. “You try to stay professional, but inside you’re crying. Sometimes you go home and can’t stop thinking about them.”Even informing patients about their diagnosis requires emotional skill.Dr. Nyakabau says this need pushed her to study palliative care to learn how to communicate bad news compassionately.“Breaking bad news can destroy hope if done poorly,” she explained. “It should be done privately, by a senior professional, and with empathy.”Health professionals are now calling for formal psychological support programmes to help caregivers cope with grief and burnout.“We need ‘care for the carers’ programmes,” said Dr. Nyakabau. “Sometimes people leave not because of pay, but because they can’t handle the emotional grief. If we don’t take care of healthcare workers, it affects both staff and patients.”As cancer cases continue to rise, the resilience of oncology teams remains vital to Zimbabwe’s healthcare system. Their compassion brings comfort to many, but even heroes, sometimes, need someone to hold them up.

Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor

Source: ZBC News