Online Reporter
Eliah Saushoma [email protected]
Gogo Ottie Mpofu (54) had been ignoring her high blood pressure for years.
“Angilayo imali eyokuya esibhedlela (I don’t have money to go to the hospital),” she would tell her grandchildren.
“I’ll go when I have time.”
But that time never came, and the debilitating headaches remained.
On Saturday last week, time and opportunity met. At the 2026 Ward 6 Umguza District Health Fair held at Heany Junction Clinic, Gogo Mpofu got her blood pressure checked for free, only to learn she was at a dangerously high risk. She trembled as medical staff explained that any further delay could have cost her sight, kidneys, or even her life.
Sensing her panic, Ward 6 Councillor, Busisiwe Brown, stepped in to reassure her. Kneeling beside her chair, she took Gogo Mpofu’s weathered hands in her own.
“Today, we have brought the clinic to you. No money. No buses. No waiting in long lines at the hospital, just care because your life matters to me, to this ward and to all of us,” she assured her.
Gogo Mpofu is just one of many elderly people in the district who bear the brunt of rural hardships, quietly affecting families as they raise grandchildren with little to no assistance.
Speaking at the event, Clr Brown emphasised that her primary goal was to decentralise healthcare and bring it directly to the doorsteps of the community.
“Our objective was not just to screen people and send them away, but to solve their health problems right here,” Clr Brown said. “We made sure to provide tablets, reading glasses, and real answers. Access to healthcare is not a privilege; it is a fundamental human right.”
The Health Expo attracted hundreds of community members from Ward six and surrounding areas. Residents expressed immense gratitude for the quality of services and the immediate availability of medication post-screening. Moved by the impact, many attendees pleaded for the expo to become a permanent annual fixture on the district calendar.
Another resident, Mr Peterson Chitanda (52), lauded the councillor’s initiative in bringing together diverse medical partners to assist the local population.
“I went through diabetes testing and fortunately, my blood sugar is manageable. The nurses taught me how to cut down on salt and sweet tea,” Mr Chitanda said.
He noted, however, that the community faces deeper, systemic crises.
“Issues of mental health are of paramount concern in our community right now. We are facing immense pressure from our children who are engaging in drug and substance abuse. The social and environmental impact of mining activities in our area is also terrifying,” he added.
Mr Chitanda admitted that the holistic nature of the fair touched a raw nerve.
“I almost broke down when the psychologist, Ms. Jackie Mayers, asked questions about grief and worry. I am one of those who have carried so much for too long. But I was reminded that strength doesn’t mean carrying everything alone. That is why having specialists like Ms. Mayers here is so vital.”
Echoing these sentiments, Clr Brown stressed that mental health can no longer be treated as a taboo subject.
“Mental health is a health issue, period,” she stated. “Substance abuse, grief, stress—these are killing our families quietly. We must break the silence and talk about them.”
The fair’s success was driven by a robust network of stakeholders. Local pharmaceutical companies donated blood pressure medication on the spot, while the Council of the Blind conducted eye tests and handed out free reading glasses. Doctors and nurses volunteered their time to provide comprehensive medical consultations.
By sunset, hundreds of citizens had been served, including taxi drivers, school children, young mothers and the elderly. Some left with life-saving medication, others with critical lifestyle knowledge, but all left feeling seen and valued.
Clr Brown paid tribute to the volunteers, stakeholders, and the community for their overwhelming support.
“You came, you asked questions, and you allowed us to help. But most of all, thank you to the people of Ward 6. Your stories today will guide everything we do next. This fair will return every year. We will add more mental health programs, more outreach, and more preventative care,” she promised.
Clr Brown concluded by sharing her broader developmental vision for the constituency, aligning it with national development goals.
“We envision a healthy, informed, and productive Ward 6 where quality healthcare reaches every home and no one is left behind. As leadership, we believe that health is foundational to community development. This fair complements our ongoing efforts to improve wellness, promote preventative healthcare, and support our most vulnerable groups.”
