By Desire Tshuma
HARARE — Beginnings Pharmaceuticals is scaling up its Prostate Cancer Initiative as the programme enters its second year, with organisers targeting 200 men for the 2026 conference and expanding the range of free medical and educational services on offer.
The company was registered in January 2025 as a supplier of medicines, medical equipment and healthcare technology. It launched the Prostate Cancer Initiative in June 2025 as a corporate social responsibility project aimed at raising awareness of prostate cancer and increasing access to screening and support in Zimbabwe.
The first Prostate Cancer Conference was held on 28 June 2025 at Trinity Methodist Church. The programme ran from 9:00am to 12:30pm, with screening continuing until 2:30pm. Attendance stood at 37 people, including 35 men and two women who escorted a blind father for screening.
MedPoint Radiology screened 50 men during the event. Results showed that 65% of men aged 40 and above had an enlarged prostate, some already on treatment, while 35% had a normal prostate. Doctors and Nurses on a Mission Trust provided free health checks covering blood pressure, weight and temperature.
Presentations were delivered by Dr Makova, an oncologist, mental health therapist Mr Muchemwa, and Mr Lemuel Mapaike from Let’s Talk Cancer Zim, a medical physicist and radiation scientist. Prostate cancer survivor Mr Mukanganga also shared his testimony.
Partners for the 2025 conference included Trinity Methodist Church, which provided the venue, Matclinic Oncology Centre and Mrs Paradza as financial sponsors, Probottlers as hydration partner, Lumi’ere Media for photography, videography and projection, Shincheonji Volunteers who provided manpower and food, and Let’s Talk Cancer Zim.
The 2025 conference led directly to the formal creation of the Prostate Cancer Initiative. The programme will continue to raise awareness, collaborate with MedPoint Radiology for screenings, work with general practitioners and oncologists to provide affordable services, and establish a support group where men can discuss physical, mental and emotional challenges.
The 2nd Prostate Cancer Conference is set for Saturday, 27 June 2026, at Prince Edward High School, from 8:00am to 3:00pm. Organisers are aiming for 200 men in attendance. This year’s package will again be free of charge and will include medical checks by Doctors and Nurses on a Mission Trust and prostate cancer screening by MedPoint Radiology, with support from Matclinic Oncology Centre.
The expert line-up will address signs and symptoms, nutrition, mental health and other topics related to prostate cancer. The expanded agenda reflects the initiative’s goal to provide deeper, practical information to men and their families.
Local prostate cancer statistics remain limited. Global estimates from 2022 to 2024 put new cases at nearly 1.5 million annually and deaths at about 397,000, according to Vitus Privatklinik.
For inquiries about the 27 June conference, contact Eddie on +263 772 379 041.