Sugar Tax Funding New Cancer Treatment Drive, Says Ncube

Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube says revenue collected through Zimbabwe’s sugar content tax is being channelled towards the purchase of cancer treatment equipment and the strengthening of healthcare services. Speaking during a tour of newly acquired cancer treatment machinery, Prof Ncube said he was encouraged by the progress made since the introduction of the levy on sugary beverages. “I am pleased to see this progress that the tax on sugar content in beverages is being put to good use as intended,” he said.

The minister revealed that more advanced cancer treatment equipment is expected to arrive this week as the government seeks to improve radiotherapy services at the country’s leading referral hospitals. “We have got more advanced machines arriving on Wednesday this week,” he said. According to Prof Ncube, the equipment will be distributed between Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare and Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo which serve as the country’s main referral centres.

He said the government plans to continue procuring specialised equipment as part of a broader strategy to overhaul cancer treatment services over the next two years. “Our view is that in the next two years there has to be a complete change, transformation in our radiotherapy services on the entire value chain for dealing with cancer treatment,” he said. Although he did not provide figures on the amount raised through the sugar tax, Prof Ncube said the levy generates continuous revenue that is being used not only to purchase equipment but also medicines and other essential supplies.