On Thursday, 26 February, Mr L. Makurirofa hosted a Zoom meeting, talking about how World Cancer Day, 4 February, brought stakeholders together around a shared commitment: reducing the cancer burden and strengthening patient-centred care in Zimbabwe. His message was clear that cancer patients must be recognised as primary stakeholders and meaningfully involved at every stage of prevention, treatment, and policy development.

Framed within the global theme United by Unique (2025–2027), the presentation highlighted an important reality: cancer is experienced differently across regions, communities, and individuals.

While some countries have broad access to screening and treatment, others continue to face significant gaps. In Zimbabwe, patients often encounter financial strain, transport challenges, food insecurity, and limited service availability. Although these experiences are unique, the call is for unity in advocacy and action.

He also emphasised the need for equity rather than simple equality. Vulnerable groups including rural communities, persons with disabilities, the elderly, women, and low-income families, require interventions that reflect their lived realities. Many households become financially vulnerable soon after a cancer diagnosis due to high treatment costs.

The presentation identified several urgent advocacy areas, including improved access to cancer services, Stronger social protection mechanisms, Active participation in shaping the proposed National Health Insurance, and greater inclusion of patient voices in policy and service delivery.  Patient-centred care, he noted, must go beyond treating the disease to addressing the broader social and economic challenges patients face.

Zimbabwe already has policy frameworks that can support progress, including the constitutional right to health, the National Cancer Prevention and Control strategies, and the ongoing review of the National Health Strategy. Stakeholders were encouraged to actively engage in these processes to ensure cancer care remains a national priority. Locally driven research is also of utmost importance. Much of the evidence guiding cancer care in developing countries originates from Western contexts. Generating and disseminating Zimbabwean research is essential to designing interventions that reflect local realities.

Although cancer is experienced uniquely, progress depends on unity. By strengthening coordination, investing in research, expanding social protection, and centering patient voices, Zimbabwe can move closer to equitable and accessible cancer care for all.