Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, Online Reporter
THE ongoing Brian Samuriwo Foundation health expo, which assisted scores of residents in Nkulumane suburb on Wednesday, coincided with the World Patient Safety Day, a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) that calls for global solidarity to improve patient safety.
World Patient Safety Day is celebrated globally on 17 September every year.
In Bulawayo, the Brian Samuriwo Foundation brought together doctors, nurses and a pharmacist to assist elderly residents from Nkulumane and surrounding suburbs in a free health expo.
Women made up the majority of people that were assisted with free medical check-ups and medication at Bullet Shopping Centre in Nkulumane.
Speaking at the health expo about the impact of such initiatives, Mrs Sithandwa Dube, a beneficiary who received free diabetes medication, pleaded with the organisers to make it a monthly event.
“At our age, we spend more money on medical check-ups and medication every month compared to other living expenses so out plea is for the organizers of the health expo to consider making it a monthly event. I received enough medication for a month and that means I will not have to worry about going to the pharmacy or hospital for a while longer,” said Mrs Dube.
69-year-old Mr Henry Sibanda, a diabetic patient says he has been living with the ailment for the last 10 years.
“It takes the good heart of just one person to bring smiles to a lot of people. Today we are gathered here as the senior residents of Bulawayo to receive free medication and I wish other local businesspeople who emulate from Cde Samuriwo and do likewise,” said Mr Sibanda.
Cde Brian Samuriwo, the founder of the Brian Samuriwo Foundation, emphasised the importance of taking care of the elderly and ease of access to health services.
“On this world, World Patient Safety Day, we reaffirm our commitment to providing safe and compassionate care to our elderly citizens who deserve dignity and access to quality health care,” said Cde Samuriwo.
So far the health expo has assisted residents of Emakhandeni, Luveve, Iminyela, Entumbane, Njube, Mpopoma, Mabuthweni, Lobengula and Pelandaba.
