The Matabeleland South project in partnership with UBH

Overview

The Matabeleland South Breast Cancer Project is a partnership between ABS, United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) and the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care. Established to address poor breast cancer outcomes in Zimbabwe, the project focuses on strengthening breast cancer services through education, service development, diagnostics, data systems and workforce development.

Background and Needs Analysis

A stakeholder workshop and subsequent needs analysis involving healthcare professionals, patients and families identified significant delays across the breast cancer pathway. Findings highlighted limited public awareness, lack of specialist training and restricted access to diagnostic services. These findings informed the project's programme of work.

Project Structure

Workstreams include:

• Workforce development
• Clinical education
• Breast ultrasound training
• Diagnostic breast clinic development
• Data collection and audit
• Fellowship and observership programmes
• Community awareness activities
• Key Activities
• Establishment of diagnostic breast clinics
• Breast ultrasound training
• Surgical masterclasses
• UK nurse and surgical fellowships
• Train-the-trainer programmes
• Database development and implementation
• MDT development and audit systems
• Outcomes and Impact

Key achievements include:

• Creation of specialist diagnostic breast clinics
• Development of local Master Trainers
• Increased breast ultrasound capability
• Establishment of prospective data collection systems
• Strengthened multidisciplinary breast services
• Sustainable local leadership development

Partners and Governance

• United Bulawayo Hospitals
• Association of Breast Surgery
• Ministry of Health and Child Care Zimbabwe
• National University of Science and Technology (NUST)

The partnership operates through a formal collaboration framework with shared governance and strategic oversight.