Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube, [email protected]
A TEAM of volunteer medical professionals, including doctors, anaesthetists, and theatre nurses, went beyond the call of duty to complete 150 surgeries during a weeklong integrated surgical camp in Victoria Falls.
Despite their scheduled completion on Friday, the team worked until midnight and continued on Saturday to ensure all registered patients received the necessary treatment.
Under the theme “Accelerating access to quality surgical services in Zimbabwe,” the outreach aimed to provide universal access to primary healthcare. The surgeries targeted conditions such as tonsillectomy, hernias (adult and paediatric), lipomas, and benign tumours. Patients from Victoria Falls and surrounding areas benefited from the programme.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care led the initiative with technical support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Celebration Health, and financial assistance from the Government of Japan.
The volunteer medical professionals expressed satisfaction with the outreach, which brought essential surgical services closer to those in need.
Dr Eden Mtambalika, a specialist surgeon, shared his joy in performing surgeries and relieving patients of their ailments.
He said, “Every day since Monday, I witnessed smiles on patients who had been relieved of their ailments, some for as long as five years. The happiest were the two emergencies I operated on and saved them 400km to seek specialist care in Bulawayo.”
Dr Thenjiwe Sisimayi, the Team Leader and WHO Technical Officer for SDG3 Global Action Plan, confirmed that all booked patients received life-changing surgeries.
She expressed gratitude to the Government, Ministry of Health personnel, surgeons, anaesthetists, nursing staff, and Victoria Falls Hospital administration for their dedication and passion.
Dr Sisimayi commended the successful execution of the weeklong surgical camp and its achievement of performing 150 procedures. She said the surgeries would have a positive impact on patients’ quality of life, relieving them from pain, financial burden, and health inconveniences caused by conditions like hernias, lipomas, tonsillitis, and other ailments.
Dr Sisimayi reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to serving the vulnerable and supporting the implementation of the National Surgical Obstetrics and Anaesthesia Strategy.
Similar surgical camps have been conducted at Victoria Chitepo Central Hospital in Manicaland and Sally Mugabe Central Hospital.
The programme, which began in January and concludes at the end of this month, aims to address critical pillars of the health system, including service provision.
Surgery plays a vital role in achieving universal health coverage, and WHO commends the Government of Zimbabwe for taking the initiative to accelerate access to surgical and obstetric services for patients in need.
The programme aligns with the Government’s vision of promoting health tourism and reversing migration, ensuring citizens do not need to seek healthcare services in other countries, particularly in border towns.
Online Reporter