Online Reporter
Herald reporter
Nicolas Baliki
Discovery Ambulance Services under the Presidential Emergency Medical Scheme (PEMS), successfully trained 60 parents and guardians of children living with *cerebral palsy* during a *two-day* Advanced First Aid Training workshop at Chitungwiza Provincial Hospital.The training equipped caregivers with practical skills to better manage the daily care associated with cerebral palsy, a lifelong condition that affects movement, muscle control, and posture due to early brain damage or abnormal development.
At the end of the programme, all participants received certificates of completion.
Discovery Ambulances graduates 60 marginalised individuals in first aid training.
The beneficiaries, who are under a movement titled Mufudzi Wakanaka Parental Care for Children living with Disabilities were equipped with life-saving skills so that they can be able to care for their children
The programme came into life after the came in contact with Alice Ndarame, a mother with a chronic respiratory condition who also cares for a child with cerebral palsy.
Her story highlighted the struggles faced by mothers of children with disabilities in their day to day life.
Paramedic Eliot Chivige, Practitioner in Charge of Discovery Ambulance Services, said the initiative has a huge impact on society.
“We identified a critical need among mothers caring for disabled children, including those with autism and cerebral palsy.
“Many were managing without professional knowledge, sometimes worsening their children’s conditions.
“This training empowers them to provide better care while allowing them to share responsibilities, so they can also work and sustain their families.”
Mercy Mukandi who is the disability program manager for Mufudzi Wakanaka hailed the programme.
“We have been working with children with disabilities since 2006. Alice Ndarame started the program.
“Today we are happy, Ndarame has brought for us these people from Discovery Ambulances. Who has taught us first aid.
“They have taken us through all the nitty gritties we didn’t know before.
“Most of our children have cerebral palsy and down syndrome etc which requires constant supervision and today we benefitted from the course we undertook.
“We are all happy and grateful that God has remembered us this season. Usually mothers with disabilities are not understood and catered for in the society,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Juliet Mauwa said the course have empowered them.
“We have been empowered through a first aide course.
“They taught us on how to handle our kids in every aspect from day to day basis to emergencies.
“We have really gained a lot of knowledge and it’s different from the past now,” she said.
The initiative aligns with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which aims for universal health coverage, ensuring ‘no one and no place is left behind.’
The project has been bolstered by the commitment of Discovery Ambulance Services’ founder and CEO, David Munowenyu, whose investment has expanded emergency medical coverage across Zimbabwe.
“Mr Munowenyu is passionate about saving lives and has significantly strengthened the country’s ambulance services,” Chivige noted.
To date, Discovery Ambulances operates a fleet of 36 vehicles, with plans to expand further.
“Our goal is to have an ambulance stationed every 10 kilometers, ensuring rapid emergency response nationwide,” Chivige added.
The service has already reached all 10 provinces, with Chitungwiza being the latest beneficiary.
