Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana recently in Kamativi
MORE than 400 Kamativi residents, including schoolchildren and the elderly, received free medical treatment during a health outreach programme hosted by Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) last Thursday.
The one-day clinic, held at Kamativi Community Hall, drew hundreds of locals, many of whom walked long distances and queued for hours for a rare opportunity to consult qualified doctors. For some, it was the first time in years they had seen a medical professional.
“This is a blessing. We rarely have doctors in our area and treatment costs are beyond our reach,” said 54-year-old Mr Lazarus Sibanda, who had been living with a painful head tumour for years.
Mr Sibanda was among those, who finally received long-overdue relief after undergoing a minor surgical procedure performed by the visiting medical team.
The outreach was spearheaded by a 10-member Chinese medical delegation, comprising specialists in paediatrics, orthopaedics, gynaecology and traditional Chinese medicine. The team offered consultations, diagnostic services and minor surgeries.
A major highlight of the event was a hands-on first aid training session where residents learnt life-saving techniques such as CPR and the Heimlich manoeuvre.
“I came here using a walking stick, but I’m leaving with not just arthritis medication but also a sense of dignity. This is more than just medicine. This is hope walking into our community,” said 52-year-old Ms Malitha Mudenda.
For Mr James Phiri, a local fisherman, a routine check-up proved to be life-changing.
“They told me I’m pre-diabetic and without this camp, I would have only known when it was too late,” he said, clutching the dietary guidelines he had been given.
KMC, with support from Rarlon Mining Company and local healthcare workers, led by nurse-in-charge Sister Phineas Mwiinda, ensured the smooth running of the programme.
The clinic operated until 6pm, to ensure no one was turned away. Snacks were also provided for those who waited long hours in the queue.
Ward 11 Councillor Joshua Tshuma, lauded the initiative, describing it as a meaningful investment in the community’s well-being.
“Last year, around 250 people were treated. This year, we had already surpassed that figure by midday. This is not mere charity, but an investment in human capital,” he said.
Chief Nekatambe also expressed his appreciation.
“They are doing an excellent job checking for conditions like TB, blood pressure and diabetes. Initiatives like this that improve our people’s health are most welcome,” he said.
In total, 350 community members and 50 KMC employees accessed specialised treatment during the outreach. The programme has also sparked wider conversations around the need for regular health services in Kamativi.
In response, KMC has pledged to explore sustainable healthcare solutions for the area.
The mining company that is into lithium extraction at the historic Kamativi Tin Mines has been actively engaging in various community development projects as part of its corporate social responsibility. Since starting operations in 2019, the company, which is a joint venture between Sichuan PD Technology Group and Denfold Mine (Private) Limited, has created over 300 direct jobs and more than 800 indirect opportunities through contractors.
The Kamativi Mine, which originally operated as a tin mine until it shut down in 1994 due to plummeting international tin prices has been on a rebound not just economically, but socially as well.
