Staff Writer
HARARE: CABS has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to critical healthcare services after partnering with TM Pick n Pay and the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe to resume a nationwide free cancer screening programme targeting 10 000 women in 2026.
The programme, which kicked off on March 9 in Masvingo, marks a significant scale-up from last year’s initiative and is anchored on improving early detection, particularly in underserved and rural communities where access to diagnostic services remains limited.
CABS Managing Director, Mehluli Mpofu, underscored the central role of awareness in combating the disease, saying the initiative goes beyond screenings to empowering communities with life-saving knowledge.
“Knowledge is the starting point in the fight against cancer,” said Mpofu. “When people understand the risks and the importance of early detection, they are empowered to take action.”
The 2026 programme is backed by a combined US$110 000 funding from CABS and TM Pick n Pay, mobilised through customer contributions and the widely supported “Swipe for a Cause” campaign, reflecting growing private sector involvement in public health interventions.
Building on the 2025 campaign, which screened 1 715 women across 11 sites, this year’s rollout has already recorded significant uptake. In March alone, 1 167 women were screened in Masvingo, Chinhoyi, Banket and Gwanda, highlighting strong demand for accessible screening services.
Screenings have continued into April, covering Kadoma and Chegutu, with the programme expected to conclude the month in high-density suburbs around Harare, including Glen View, Ruwa and Highfield.
TM Pick n Pay Zimbabwe Managing Director, Malcolm Mycroft, said the partnership is focused on delivering tangible impact by taking healthcare services directly to communities.
“Our goal is simple: early detection saves lives,” said Mycroft. “By bringing cancer screening services directly into marginalised communities, we are giving families the greatest possible gift – the gift of time and health.”
The initiative places particular emphasis on reaching marginalised populations, where barriers such as cost and distance often prevent timely diagnosis and treatment.
For CABS, the programme aligns with its broader strategy of supporting social impact initiatives that address critical national challenges, while TM Pick n Pay continues to position the campaign as a key pillar of its corporate social responsibility framework under the principle “Doing Good is Good Business.”
Through the partnership with the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe, the institutions aim to ensure inclusive access to cancer screening services, reinforcing efforts to reduce late-stage diagnoses and improve health outcomes across the country.
