Anglican church in medical outreach

A baby girl is safely delivered through emergency caesarean during the Anglican medical outreach exercise in Chegutu last week

Desire Ncube

ST PAUL’S Marlborough Anglican Church recently mobilised health practitioners for an outreach programme that benefited hundreds of residents in Chegutu and those from surrounding farms.

The team consisted of 12 doctors, 25 nurses and support staff.

Some of the medical services provided included general examinations, surgery, dental care and provision of drugs.

Medical outreach spokesperson Dr Morris Madziyire said the overwhelming attendance highlighted the demand for medical care within communities.

“After the church has realised the need to partner Government in the health delivery sector, we decided to engage in medical outreach programmes in 2010.

“This has become an annual event and we have been to places like Murehwa, Banket, Guruve, Marondera, and Nyanga and now we are here in Chegutu.

“We have set aside the first week of August every year for this cause,” said Dr Madziyire.

He said some of the doctors who made up the team were not Anglican Church members but were keen to be part of the good cause, hence they availed themselves freely.

Anglican Chegutu Parish Reverend, Lovemore Kasipo said they were humbled by the gesture.

“We have been waiting for this day for a long time, and we are happy and humbled that the Lord has remembered us,” said Rev Kasipo.

Rev Samuel Sifelani of St Paul’s Marlborough Anglican Church said they did not use the outreach programme as a tool for evangelism since they are expected to do that in their communities every time.

“James 2 v 15 says, ‘Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food, if one of you says to them, Go in peace; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” Rev Sifelani said.

Beneficiaries of the programme applauded the gesture and said that it came at a time when they were finding it difficult to raise funds for medical care.

The church also undertook a clean-up and maintenance exercise as well as a career guidance programme for Chegutu’s Ordinary and Advanced Level students.