Online Reporter
Midlands Bureau
THE Midlands Private Hospital (MPH), in partnership with the Eye Institute and Old Mutual Zimbabwe, has launched the inaugural Midlands Old Mutual Eye Camp, a programme aimed at restoring sight and improving access to specialist eye care across the province.
The initiative, which has been operating in other regions since last year, brings essential eye surgeries to patients who previously had little or no access to treatment.
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, visited MPH to get a glimpse of how the camp operates and how it serves the people.
After the tour of the facility and witnessing a patient get eye surgery, Minister Ncube said the initiative supports national health priorities.
“The eye camp resonates with the ‘Health For All’ drive by the year 2030 and the mantra of ‘leaving no one and no place behind’,” he said.
Minister Ncube commended the collaboration behind the eye camp.
“I applaud the partnership between Old Mutual Zimbabwe and the Eye Institute, which complements Government efforts to build an inclusive, accessible and responsive health system,” he said.
Minister Ncube also wished the more than 65 patients who underwent surgery a speedy recovery.
Founder of the Eye Institute and lead surgeon, Dr Ron Mhizha, said the camp had already made a significant impact in several provinces.
“This programme has been running since last year. It started in Matabeleland, then Manicaland, and now we are in Gweru,” he said.
Dr Mhizha noted that the need for eye care is widespread.
“Our programme is simple. Everyone, without exception, will eventually experience an eye condition and will need assistance,” said the official.
He added that the team had treated patients who had endured preventable conditions for long periods. “We have had a wonderful week conducting surgeries, mostly for patients who had been sitting at home with treatable conditions,” he said.
Dr Mhizha hoped that the programme would continue and expand.
“We are happy that this programme will be ongoing. We hope our partners, Old Mutual, will allow us to continue not only with eye services but with other specialist services as well,” he said.
The partnership has already demonstrated its importance and impact.
“We are pleased that our continued presence is helping protect the health and eyesight of our communities,” he added.
MPH founder and director Dr Josiah Tayi praised the teamwork behind the programme.
“Dr Mhizha operates on 10 to 15 patients, then returns to Harare,” he said. Dr Tayi also expressed gratitude to partners and welcomed the growing involvement of specialists.
“Eye doctors are coming, and I want to acknowledge the arrival of young specialists in Midlands Province,” he said.
Dr Tayi emphasised the importance of retaining specialised medical personnel in the province to strengthen service delivery. “Our goal is to keep specialists here and build a stronger health system for future generations,” he said.
