Free treatment for villagers

Post Reporter
THOUSANDS of less-privileged villagers in Makoni last week flocked Sangano Clinic in Nyabadza area to get free medication from visiting United Kingdom-based doctors.

The doctors’ visit was facilitated by the Girl Child Network International founder, Muzvare Betty Makoni.

The response was beyond belief and resulted in medical supplies running out and forced the team to replenish. The team comprised of doctors, pharmacists, nurses and volunteers, who work under the auspices of the UK-based charity organisation, Haven of Rest.

Team leader, Mrs Peju Oluyomi, said the turnout showed that a lot of less-privileged people cannot afford medication and are suffering in silence.

Mrs Oluyomi said the less-privileged villagers were facing health challenges which compromised the quality of life.

She decried the fact that African children were the worst affected, with one child dying every four seconds from preventable and treatable causes due to the lack of basic healthcare.

Mrs Oluyomi said her team treated patients with an assortment of ailments ranging from cataract, acute high blood pressure, chest pains, hearing problems, headaches, abdominal pains, back aches, swollen legs and general fatigue among elderly.

Some of the eyesight ailments were attributed to malnutrition and can be reversed if patients eat fruits and vegetables like carrots.

“At Haven of Rest, we work towards the relief of the poor from sickness. We believe the preservation and protection of good health of people around the world will improve their health and well-being. Apart from treatment, we also do some health awareness campaigns to help people to have a grasp of how cancer and HIV and Aids affect lives,” said Mrs Oluyomi.

Mrs Oluyomi’s team also randomly distributed clothing and fees to vulnerable school children.

They also injected $18 000 into the construction of a two kilometre road linking Sangano Clinic and St Luke’s area to facilitate easy access to treatment.

Prior to the construction, people used to travel for 10km to get to the clinic using the main road.

The villagers expressed gratitude to Muzavare Betty Makoni for facilitating the programme, saying the gesture could not have come at a better time.

Mr Steven Manhinde (72), of Bvanya Village, said for the past seven years he has been suffering from abdominal pains, backache and poor erection, without seeking treatment due to poverty.

“I am really grateful to receive medical care after seven years of illness. I have been living a miserable and painful life all these years and could not go to hospital because I cannot afford the services of a private doctor.

“My major problem is money. I am unemployed and cannot afford it. Most villagers cannot afford the cost of healthcare in Zimbabwe and that is why you are witnessing this huge turnout of adults here,” said Mr Manhinde.

Mrs Esnath Muranda, of Chitsanza Village, echoed the same sentiments saying she had endured several years of backache and swollen body parts.

“I thank God for the free treatment. It came as a huge relief. I have been leading a hellish life, which compromised my chances of performing daily chores as expected of a rural woman,” said Mrs Muranda.

Gogo Monica Chikanda (85), of Jukuchuku Village, was elated after receiving free healthcare, saying she cannot afford the bus fare to Rusape for treatment.