NAC Expands Lifeline: $109,000 Boost for Child Cancer Fighters

Harare, November 24, 2025 — The National AIDS Council (NAC) has made a significant leap beyond its primary mandate, announcing a crucial support package of USD $109,000 for KIDZCAN, a dedicated organisation fighting childhood cancer. The donation, drawn from the national AIDS levy, was officially handed over today at the NAC Head Office in a ceremony graced by the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora.

​The Minister hailed the move as a “strategic and compassionate investment” and a bold step towards integrating the nation’s health responses. He underscored the profound link between HIV and cancer, noting that people living with HIV (PLHIV) face a significantly higher risk of developing certain cancers due to compromised immune systems.

​​In his remarks, Minister Mombeshora acknowledged that childhood cancer is a “silent crisis which often does not make headlines.” For countless families, a cancer diagnosis brings not only emotional distress but also an “insurmountable” financial burden covering diagnostics, treatment, and logistics like transport and accommodation. These costs, the Minister noted, too often lead to delayed diagnosis and abandoned treatment, resulting in “unimaginable loss.”

​”This handover  is a crucial step towards addressing these challenges,” Dr. Mombeshora stated. “I am told that the support will be used to procure essential drugs, facilitate accurate diagnosis and raise awareness about childhood cancer, which are very essential as our country reenergizes the health sector.”

The Minister extended his profound gratitude to the NAC for its foresight and flexibility, highlighting how the organisation’s commitment extends “beyond the immediate mandate” of HIV/AIDS.

​He cited the NAC’s recent support to Parirenyatwa Hospital, where the blood and renal units were equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, as evidence that the AIDS levy is serving as a strategic national resource.

​”You have demonstrated that the AIDS levy is enhancing not just the response to fight HIV, but the entire continuum of care,” the Minister affirmed, stressing the importance of this domestic funding at a time when the country has lost “a significant amount of financial support from some of our partners.”

In a direct address to the recipients, Dr. Mombeshora commended KIDZCAN’s “passion and dedication” but issued a strong charge to the organisation’s leadership.

​”I charge you to use these resources effectively and accountably. Every dollar saved, every life touched, every smile restored on a child’s face will be the true measure of this investment.”

​The Minister concluded with an emotional message of solidarity for the parents and children fighting the illness. “We see you. We hear you. This support is for you. It is our collective promise that we will walk this journey with you, and we will not rest until every child in our nation has the opportunity to lead a healthy life.”

​The handover marks a collaborative milestone, showcasing a unified national approach to public health where resources generated for one critical area are strategically leveraged to strengthen the entire health system.