Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
HUNDREDS of people in Sanyati have received free medical treatment and medication after TelOne, in partnership with Sanyati legislator and Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura and Discovery Ambulance Services, rolled out a two-day medical outreach aimed at improving access to healthcare in underserved communities.
The outreach was held at Batanai Secondary School in Ward 5 (Veri) on Saturday and Savanna Primary School in Ward 7 (Kabhanga) on Sunday, bringing essential health services closer to residents who often travel long distances to access medical care.
Residents received free medical consultations, medication and first aid training from qualified healthcare professionals.
The initiative forms part of TelOne’s corporate social investment programme, which complements the Government’s efforts to strengthen primary healthcare delivery in line with the National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030, while ensuring that no one and no place is left behind.
Speaking during the outreach, Dr Kambamura commended TelOne and Discovery Ambulance Services for partnering with his office to improve access to quality healthcare for rural communities.
“This initiative demonstrates the importance of partnerships in improving the lives of our people,” he said.
“I would like to thank TelOne for responding to President Mnangagwa’s call to ensure every Zimbabwean has access to healthcare regardless of where they live. Their support complements Government efforts to leave no one and no place behind.
“This outreach has become an important programme for our constituency because many people cannot afford medical consultations or transport to health institutions. Bringing these services directly to the communities makes a significant difference.”
Dr Kambamura, who has been running annual free medical outreach programmes in the constituency, said thousands of residents had benefited from similar initiatives over the years.
In addition to free consultations and medication, TelOne donated eight wheelchairs to disadvantaged members of the community to improve their mobility, restore dignity and ease the burden on their families and caregivers.
Among the beneficiaries was a nine-year-old, who was born with a condition that has left him unable to walk.
Another beneficiary, a 73-year-old, Ms Sarah Moyo, said she had been relying on a 20-litre bucket to move around her homestead after developing mobility challenges.
“I never imagined that one day I would receive a wheelchair. Walking had become impossible, and I had resorted to using a bucket to support myself whenever I needed to move,” she said. “This donation has restored my dignity and given me hope. I sincerely thank everyone who remembered people like us.”
Speaking on behalf of TelOne chief executive officer Engineer Lawrence Nkala, the company’s acting head of corporate communications, Mr Tinashe Makichi, reaffirmed TelOne’s commitment to improving lives through impactful community programmes.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, TelOne believes that access to healthcare is fundamental to building resilient and healthy communities,” he said.
“We remain committed to supporting vulnerable groups through targeted interventions that make a practical difference in people’s lives.
“We are duty-bound to support the National Development Strategy 2 and initiatives such as this reflect our commitment to ensuring that no one and no place is left behind.”
The Sanyati outreach follows a similar programme recently conducted by TelOne and Discovery Ambulance Services at the Beitbridge Reception Centre, where the partners provided free medical care to returning Zimbabweans, underscoring the telecommunications company’s growing investment in community health and social development.
