Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
HUNDREDS of residents from different parts of Hwange District have benefited from a public medical outreach programme aimed at improving access to healthcare in underserved communities.
The programme, organised by Hwange Medical Company, a subsidiary of Hwange Colliery Company Holdings, was recently held at Mashala Primary School. It offered a wide range of services, including general medical screening and treatment, eye care, dental services, cancer screening through VIAC, HIV testing and counselling, sexual and reproductive health services, as well as the distribution of medication. For many villagers, especially the elderly and people living with disabilities, the outreach brought much-needed relief. Access to healthcare services remains limited in remote parts of Hwange District, forcing many residents to travel long distances to seek treatment.
Speaking on the sidelines of the outreach, Hwange Medical Company chief medical officer Dr Nairos Dherezai said the initiative is part of the company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments and wider corporate social responsibility efforts.
“We have realised that there is a significant gap in healthcare service provision, especially in underserved areas. What we are doing is identifying such communities and bringing comprehensive healthcare services closer to the people,” said Dr Dherezai.
He said the outreach was not a once-off intervention but part of an ongoing programme designed to provide continuous care, particularly for patients with chronic illnesses. “We provide medicines, including three-month supplies, and we return to monitor adherence and improvement. This is a continuous programme,” he said.
Dr Dherezai also highlighted growing concern over non-communicable diseases, which continue to affect communities silently.
“People are moving around with these silent killers without knowing. That is why intensive screening is critical before complications arise,” he added.
The outreach aligns with Zimbabwe’s national health priorities under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which focuses on improving healthcare access, strengthening public health systems and addressing both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
National AIDS Council (NAC) Hwange District AIDS coordinator Mr Nehemiah Ndlovu said the outreach played an important role in extending HIV-related services to communities that are often difficult to reach.
“As NAC we coordinate HIV and AIDS interventions in the country. Bringing these services closer to the people is very important. Studies have shown that girls and young women aged between 15 and 24 are among the most vulnerable to new HIV infections. That is why we have programmes such as Sister-to-Sister mentorship and male engagement programmes to address these challenges holistically,” he said.
Mashala Ward Councillor and Hwange Rural District Council chairperson Mr Pasca Mpofu commended Hwange Colliery Company Limited for bringing essential services closer to the community.
“This programme has brought relief to our people, especially the elderly, women, people living with disabilities and vulnerable households who struggle to travel long distances for treatment,” said Mpofu.
“Early screening and treatment of diseases will save lives and reduce health complications in our communities.”
Mr Mpofu also called on more organisations to support Government efforts in improving healthcare delivery in rural areas.
Beneficiaries of the outreach welcomed the initiative, saying it had eased the burden of accessing health services. Mr Peter Dube, a person living with a disability, applauded the company for reaching out to vulnerable groups often left behind.
Forty-nine-year-old Tedious Mathe said the programme had improved access to health services for rural communities.
“One thing I love about the outreach is that it had all the services really required by the people and we also got pills,” said Mathe.
Raymond Ncube (33) from Zvabo Village said young people had also benefited through improved access to sexual and reproductive health services.
Another villager, 19-year-old Consider Shoko, who underwent malaria and HIV testing, said the outreach had helped her take charge of her health.
Luzani Munkuli from Champepo Village, who accessed VIAC cancer screening services, urged the organisers to increase the frequency of such visits so that more people can benefit.
In addition to providing medical services, Hwange Medical Company also offered meals to patients, most of whom were elderly people and women. This created a supportive environment and ensured that beneficiaries were comfortable while receiving treatment.
As Zimbabwe continues to work towards achieving the goals set under NDS2 and Vision 2030, initiatives such as the Hwange outreach highlight the importance of community-based healthcare programmes in improving access to services. They also show how partnerships between the private sector and communities can help build a healthier and more productive nation.
