Online Reporter
Tanaka Nkala, [email protected]
AFTER spending 24 years in England, it took President Mnangagwa’s inspiration for Ms Quinn Sowa to come back home in 2022 and invest in the health sector, joining scores of Zimbabweans in the diaspora who have heeded a similar call and are taking up opportunities in different sectors of the economy.
Ms Sowa has established one of the thriving privately-owned health facilities in Bulawayo, Hlalani Kuhle/Rugare Medical Centre, which is offering a range of services and is working closely with the Government to improve service delivery.
The organisation now operates in Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom with branches in Bolton and Huddersfield, while working towards expanding into South Africa.
Riding on innovation and her wider business network, Ms Sowa has introduced a diaspora medical aid plan that allows Zimbabweans living abroad to pay for healthcare services for relatives back home.
As the founder and chief executive officer of the young institution, Ms Sowa said she was grateful for the positive support she received and continues to receive from both the local and Central Government.
She said the ease of processes and warm support is a reflection that Zimbabwe is transforming and fulfills President Mnangagwa’s mantra: “Zimbabwe is open for Business.”
“I started Rugare Medical in 2022 after heeding the President’s call that we should come back home and invest. I decided to take that step after living in England for 24 years,” Ms Sowa told delegates on Friday during a public awareness campaign hosted by her institution in Bulawayo on Friday.
“I decided to come back home. Basically, what you see on social media where you get scared to come and invest is actually not it because I haven’t faced challenges at all.
“In fact, I’ve actually got so much help from the city council, from the Government. It’s been an easy journey for me and I would like to thank them for making business operations easier.”
Ms Sowa’s testimony shines a light on the proactive policy by President Mnangagwa’s administration to actively pursue engagement with the Zimbabwean diaspora, and recognising them as a vital and “integral part of the country’s development”.
Under the mantra “Zimbabwe is Open for Business”, President Mnangagwa has encouraged diaspora members to invest in and contribute to the country’s development.
Part of this drive is aimed at turning the “brain drain” into a “brain gain” and leveraging the skills, experience, and capital of Zimbabweans living abroad to transform the economy.
As such, Ms Sowa said offering free health initiative forms part of Rugare Medical’s wider philosophy of making healthcare affordable and accessible to ordinary Zimbabweans, just like in developed countries.
“We brought the same healthcare model we used in the UK to Zimbabwe. When we came up with this model, we wanted to accommodate everyone at an affordable rate,” said Ms Sowa.
“If you are abroad and you want your family in Zimbabwe to receive treatment, you can pay from the UK while your relatives access healthcare here.”
During the event, which drew members of the public who benefitted from free medical consultations, eye examinations, dental checks, cervical cancer screening and mental health awareness sessions, Ms Sowa and her teams showcased key community wellness interventions aimed at improving access to healthcare and raising awareness on critical health issues.
The programme was part of the medical centre’s commitment to giving back to the community that has supported the institution since its establishment.
Ms Sowa said the wellness campaign was not only about healthcare delivery but about encouraging Zimbabweans to prioritise regular medical check-ups and early disease detection.
“Twice every year, we give back to the community to show that we are not only money-oriented but success-motivated. We love seeing people get better.”
This year’s wellness programme ran under the theme “Small Kidneys Matter”, highlighting the growing prevalence of kidney-related illnesses in the country.
Ms Sowa said kidney disease had become increasingly common due to changing lifestyles, processed foods and the growing consumption of energy drinks.
“As a renal unit, kidney treatment is our core business. We are seeing a rise in kidney problems and we wanted to educate people about protecting their kidneys and the importance of routine medical examinations,” she said.
Ms Sowa said it was disturbing that many Zimbabweans only seek medical attention when illnesses have already advanced, despite some already being covered by medical aid schemes.
“You find people saying they have never been sick only to discover they are already suffering from advanced conditions such as Stage Four cancer,” she said.
“We want to encourage people to get checked at least twice a year for conditions such as cervical cancer, prostate cancer and other health complications.”
Mental health awareness also formed a major part of the programme with healthcare professionals engaging residents on the realities of stress, depression and emotional wellbeing.
A mental health specialist from Rugare Medical’s sister company in England also attended the event to help educate the public on breaking stigma around mental illness.
Ms Sikhumbuzo Malunga, manager of the sister company, said the organisation’s success had been built on strong community support and teamwork.
“We decided to give back because Rugare has grown because of the support we have received from the community,” she said.
“Today is special because we are raising awareness about mental health and helping people understand the difference between mental health and mental illness,” she said.
During the outreach programme, medical personnel from United Bulawayo Hospitals, National AIDS Council and New Start Centre moved around the venue encouraging members of the public to make use of the free services available.
Bongani Ndlovu