The radiotherapy machine at Mpilo Central Hospital that has been lying idle since government acquired it five years ago is now ready for use after the hospital management was finally granted with an operating license from the Radiation Authority of Zimbabwe.

Hordes of cancer patients from the Southern Region are set to benefit from the multi-million dollar radiotherapy equipment at the hospital.

Mpilo Central Hospital spokesperson Matron Sibusisiwe Ndlovu confirmed to the state broadcaster, ZBC that the Radiation Authority of Zimbabwe finally granted the institution with an operating license after rectifying the grey areas that needed attention.

She said all is set for the commissioning of the equipment which is set for the 22nd of this month.

The machine had been lying idle for some time after the hospital’s previous management allegedly misappropriated funds.

Allegations are that, the fired Mpilo management was given funds for the equipment’s installation; the same time Parirenyatwa Hospital received funds for the installation of their machine but the Mpilo management diverted the funds to other uses, thereby disadvantaging cancer patients in the Matabeleland region.

The license granting may have brought relief but fears still abound that patients may still be disadvantaged from getting proper treatment as the institution requires to import most of the drugs to be used in the treatment.

Mpilo hospital has since written to the procurement board for importation of drugs for the operationalisation of the equipment with recommendations expected to be sent to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for approval amid calls for government to ease the importation of medical drugs and equipment for hospitals to operate without hindrances. – state media