Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Correspondent
HUNDREDS of people from communities across Nyanga North received free medical consultations, diagnoses and treatment during a medical outreach programme held last Saturday.
The initiative was funded by Interpath Medical Laboratories founder and chemical pathologist, Dr Henry Dandadzi, in partnership with the constituency’s legislator and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Deputy Minister, Honourable Chido Sanyatwe.
The outreach brought specialist healthcare services closer to villagers from Ruwangwe, Nyamaropa, Nyautare, Avila, Fombe, Regina Coeli and surrounding areas, where access to affordable healthcare remains a challenge.
Held at Emmanuel High School, the programme forms part of efforts to complement Government’s drive towards universal health coverage.
Patients were treated for a range of conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, acute infections, skin conditions, and mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety.
Dr Dandadzi said the initiative was inspired by his desire to give back to the community where he was born.
He said the outreach was aimed at supporting vulnerable communities while complementing Government programmes to improve access to quality healthcare.
“We decided that this is the right time for me, as someone born in Nyanga, and others to come back and give back to our community. True success is measured, not only by personal achievements, but also by the positive impact we make in the lives of others. Through this outreach, we hope to improve access to healthcare and make a meaningful difference in our community,” said Dr Dandadzi.
He also commended the schools and teams that participated in the soccer tournament held alongside the outreach, saying sport continues to unite communities and strengthen social bonds.
A team of nine medical doctors and 20 nurses provided consultations, diagnoses and treatment for a wide range of ailments affecting residents across the constituency.
Medicines for common illnesses were also distributed free of charge, enabling hundreds of beneficiaries to receive treatment at no cost.
Dr Dandadzi’s wife, Charlene, was credited with coordinating the procurement of medicines used during the outreach.
He added that the outreach reflected the growing role of the private sector in complementing Government programmes aimed at improving access to essential services and advancing Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 of becoming an empowered upper-middle-income economy.
The free medical outreach was held alongside the Meinrad Dandadzi Soccer Tournament at Emmanuel High School in Ruwangwe, where schools from across the constituency took part in the competition.
“Sport brings people together. It strengthens communities and creates positive engagement for our youth. My father introduced me to business at an early age, and this is part of that upbringing — using what we have to help others. My philanthropic work was inspired by the values instilled in me by my late father,” added Dr Dandadzi, while acknowledging support from various stakeholders.
Beneficiaries from across Nyanga North praised the initiative, saying it had provided critical healthcare services that many would otherwise have struggled to access.
Mbuya Gladys Madzinga (88), of Mazarura Village, who is living with heart disease, hypertension and diabetes, said she was deeply grateful.
“This is a blessing. We have been looking for help, and today we are receiving treatment free of charge. This is my first time attending a free medical outreach where we were examined, treated and given medication to take home. I am extremely grateful that the organisers decided to come all the way to our community to assist us,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mbuya Nyaruwata, who suffers from hypertension, also expressed appreciation.
“This event came to us when we least expected it. We are truly grateful. I never imagined that after being attended to, we would also receive medication to take home. We would like to thank the organisers of this initiative, including Honourable Chido Sanyatwe, for making this possible,” she said.
