Chronicle Editor
Laurel Murangaridzirayi, [email protected]
RESIDENTS of Makokoba in Bulawayo received free medical services that were provided by specialists mobilised by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Sunday.
The church organised a health expo that was held at its Makokoba branch where different health professionals and supporting organisations spent the day providing free health care services as well as providing information on how to improve family and public health.
The health workers included physiotherapists, opticians, dentists, mental health experts, nurses and laboratory workers who conducted tests.
“We decided to offer these services free to members of the church as some of them cannot afford to pay for the services,” said Ms Sandisiwe Ngwenya, one of the coordinators.
She said they started testing for diabetes, hypertension, obesity and also gave information on how to address some of the health challenges.
Ms Ngwenya said the church has embraced HIV and Aids awareness and provided testing and counselling services.
“Congregants are usually reluctant to open up on their HIV status, fearing stigmatisation and that is what we are fighting. We want people to open up on their status so that other members of the church can support them to fight the pandemic,” she said.
One of the residents, Ms Lesley Ngulube said the programme is assisting residents as many of them cannot afford to pay for the services.
“We are really humbled by this expo, which helps us to get all the support we need as a community, it’s a positive development,” she said.
An elderly, Ms Runiya Ndlovu said the community was benefiting a lot from the programme.
“We are greatly benefiting from the expo because some of us cannot afford the doctors’ fees,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mr Amon Muleya, said she received valuable medical health advice and urged the church to run such programmes regularly.
Mr Mandla Ndebele said the health expo had built his confidence as he now knows his HIV status.
Online Reporter