Online Reporter
George Maponga
Masvingo Bureau
In a bid to ensure women have access to timely health checks, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has extended her state-of-the-art mobile health facilities to the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of Zimbabwe National Ladies Conference, held at Mufaro Conference Centre in Masvingo.
Dr Mnangagwa also urged women to be role models in their communities by prioritising their health through regular cancer screening for early detection and treatment.
Thousands of women attending the conference benefited from free medical services after the First Lady availed her mobile clinic units under her Angel of Hope Foundation.
The world-class mobile hospital is equipped with an ultrasound scanner, an advanced gynaecological oncology screening unit, and a radiation machine.
It enabled people from across the country and beyond to undergo screening for cervical, breast and prostate cancer.
Thanks to the advanced equipment, breast cancer can be detected at an early stage, significantly reducing the risk of cancer-related deaths.
Women were also screened for various conditions, including BP, diabetes, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV, among several others.
In remarks delivered on her behalf by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Shiela Chikomo, Dr Mnangagwa encouraged women to take proactive steps in safeguarding their health.
“We encourage women to periodically go for cancer screening so that we have early detection and treatment. Breast and cervical cancers are real vana Amai! Let us not be caught unaware,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa said she remained committed to leading from the front in addressing challenges affecting women, while urging the church to support efforts aimed at building a peaceful and prosperous society.
“To all the women who are here at Mufaro Conference Centre, I want to implore you to always go for cancer screening. Say no to child abuse, no to drug and substance abuse, no to domestic violence,” she said.
The First Lady also reaffirmed her commitment to tackling societal challenges such as drug and substance abuse, domestic violence, and health-related inequalities affecting women across Zimbabwe.
Dr Mnangagwa encouraged women to fully realise their potential and play a leading role in national development through social and economic empowerment initiatives driven by her foundation.
Deputy Minister Chikomo praised the First Lady for her consistent philanthropic work through the Angel of Hope Foundation, describing her as a “Mother of the Nation” who continues to champion women and vulnerable groups.
AFM of Zimbabwe president Reverend Cossam Chiyangwa also commended the First Lady’s outreach programmes, saying they were helping to address critical health and social challenges in communities.
Women who underwent screening expressed gratitude for the services, describing the programme as life-changing and timely.
Mrs Rudo Moyo, a delegate from Masvingo: “I want to thank the First Lady for bringing these cancer screening services to us. Many of us fear hospitals or cannot afford tests, but today we were checked for free. This has really helped us know our health status.”
Ms Tariro Ndlovu, a delegate from the Midlands Province:
“We are grateful for the First Lady’s kindness. Some women discover illnesses too late, but this programme has given us a chance for early detection. May she continue with this good work for women in rural areas.”
Mrs Beauty Chirwa, AFM congregant from Harare:
“I feel so relieved after being screened. I did not know my condition before, but now I have been checked and advised.
“We thank Amai Mnangagwa for remembering us women in the church.”
The conference saw thousands of women from across the country benefiting from free cervical cancer screening and other health services provided through the First Lady’s mobile clinic initiative.
