…Top epidemiologist Prof Themba Ginindza joins rural health outreach, pledges cancer lab and free screenings
BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
MAFUTSENI – The battle against cancer in Eswatini has gained a powerful ally.
Renowned cancer and infectious disease epidemiologist, Professor Themba Ginindza, has officially joined the Mafutseni Primary Healthcare Centre’s monthly outreach initiative, bringing with him a bold vision, scientific muscle, and hope for rural communities.
Addressing attendees during Thursday’s outreach, Prof Ginindza, a lead researcher based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, announced that plans are underway to establish a cancer screening and research laboratory right at the Mafutseni health facility.
The lab will offer free lung cancer screening and support research on infectious diseases, thanks to a partnership between the centre and the Cancer & Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Research Unit (CIDERU) which he directs.
“We are proud to be part of this incredible initiative that is making healthcare accessible where it is needed most,” said Prof Ginindza. “The idea is to decentralise services, bring high-quality cancer screening closer to the people, and close the gaps that still exist in Eswatini’s health response.”
He encouraged more local and international stakeholders to support the outreach, describing it as “a scalable, life-saving model” that deserves investment and policy-level backing.
No stranger to health advocacy in Eswatini, Prof Ginindza is also known for his work in HPV and HIV-related cancers, and currently leads major research collaborations across Africa, including projects on cervical cancer, lung cancer, and palliative care.
This is not his first intervention in Eswatini. He previously led studies on the burden of HPV infection in the Kingdom and collaborated with the Ministry of Health on the HPV vaccine rollout. His resume includes over 90 peer-reviewed publications and research contributions in more than 10 countries.
The outreach, hosted every third Thursday of the month, continues to draw growing numbers of patients and partners. In this month’s edition, a record number of healthcare providers and community supporters came on board, including Mkhiwa Clinic, Georgetown University, and AHF Eswatini.
According to Dr. Fortunate Shabalala, Head of the UNESWA Faculty of Health Sciences, the addition of Prof Ginindza to the team marks a new chapter in the centre’s ambition to become a Centre of Excellence for primary healthcare.
“He is not just a partner, he’s a force,” she said. “With his leadership and expertise, we are confident that Mafutseni will soon be a key hub for cancer prevention and community health research.”
As Prof Ginindza put it: “The goal is simple, early detection, timely treatment, and no one left behind.”
