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Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
CHILDREN born with Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus will no longer have to be sent out of the country to seek treatment as the treatment is now being offered in Zimbabwe.
The first ever, Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Zimbabwe (SHAZ) which provides treatment for children with Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus was launched in Harare on Friday to complement Government’s efforts to improve the health sector.
Speaking at the launch of SHAZ, deputy minister of health and childcare Dr Tapiwa Mangwiro said the provision of medical services to children with Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus will go a long way in improving their lives.
“This occasion heralds a ray of hope for troubled babies in the country. The launch of this Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Zimbabwe coincides with the move by the Government to capacitate the health system in the country as we implement the Nation Development Strategy (NDS) 1 and the national health strategy as the country.
“This is the official launch of the first ever Association dedicated to the conditions of people with Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus. It is a new kid on the block whose goal is to improve the quality of life among babies as well as increased access comprehensive healthcare, information, integration, social and preventative measures,” he said.
Dr Mangwiro said the official establishment of SHAZ was a great move towards uplifting lives in the country.
He said SHAZ came as a practical contribution to the collective national endeavour to develop a stable health environment which was a fundamental social pillar towards Vision 2030.
“For many years, people with Spinal bifida and Hydrocephalus were having a torrid time. Many affected families were incapacitated to meet some of the financial costs associated with the condition. As a result we lost many lives.”
Dr Mangwiro said his Ministry was pleased with the arrival of SHAZ as it will go a long way in improving the quality of life of people with Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus.
SHAZ founder and executive director Dr Luxwell Jokonya and the medical director Dr Freeblessing Murahwa said they want to help children with Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus in Zimbabwe.
“These children have been neglected for a very long time and most of the children do not have access to the surgical care that they initially need when they are born and a lot of babies have died for this reason. We are coming in to fill the gap, to assist these children through provision of the medical supplies and other necessary investigations that needs to be done.
“We will be supporting mothers of these children with psycho-social support so that they can be able to raise their children to be fully grown individuals. Most of these children die early because they lack medical support and also support for their parents because in the long term they support for their urinary and bowl care so there is a lack of continued support that we are bringing in as Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Zimbabwe,” they said.
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