Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
Thousands of people in Mashonaland East province, particularly those in Chitungwiza, Marondera, and Hwedza, benefited from the United Methodist Church’s free medical outreach, as the church continues to complement the Government’s efforts to bring health services closer to people.
The two-day free medical outreach was conducted at Jonasi Secondary School, Seke District, last week.
The United Methodist Church actively conducts free medical outreach programmes to provide accessible healthcare to the people.
These initiatives, often partnering with local government and health centres, offer services such as HIV testing, dental care, cancer screenings and medication for chronic illnesses.
The initiative, launched seven years ago, is gaining popularity, with hundreds of people seeking the services.
Doctors, specialists, and nurses come together to offer free professional services to the people.
This noble initiative is planned and executed by the Mubvuwi United Methodist Church (MUMC), which is a male organisation within the church.
The MUMC then partners with various organisations in this initiative. Also, the event include carrier guidance to pupils as well as awareness on drug and substance abuse.
The event is also marked by free consultations, cancer screening, as well as free medication, among other medical services, for the people.
In an interview with Zimpapers on the sidelines of the outreach, Mr Rangarirai Nyahodza, the Chitungwiza-Marondera Mubvuwi United Methodist Church chairman, said the community response to the programme was overwhelming.
“This is our 7th edition of the MUMC Free Medical Outreach, and the response, like any other past events, has been overwhelming,” he said.
“A lot of people came through for medical services. We conduct this annually. We thank God for this initiative. We are also pleased to be able to compliment the Government on its efforts to transform health services by bringing them closer to the people.
“Our objective is to bring health services to the people, to the church. As you may know, we are also fishers of men, so by showing people the good works the church is doing, they also see the good works of our God. We want to bring more people to the church.”
Mr Nyahodza added that since Thursday this week, many people have come for health services.
“We have doctors, nurses, dentists and counsellors at the site who are offering free services,” he said.
“We have medicines to give to the people after undergoing all the required procedures. Many people have been coming to Jonas Secondary School since yesterday.
“They were offered several services, including HIV testing, cervical, breast and prostate cancer screening, among others.
“We also had a career guidance session for students at the school. We also ran an awareness campaign on drug and substance abuse.”
He applauded several organisations for partnering with the church in this initiative. When Zimpapers arrived at the venue, the medical staff was assisting many people who had come for the services.
“I came here and got assisted. I received the service I wanted and received free medication. The staff was helpful,” Mrs Rumbidzai Mhlanga from Seke district said.
“Everything, from consultation, was absolutely free, and I am thankful to the church for this initiative.”
Another beneficiary, Mrs Ngazimbi, said her wish is for the church to continue with the programme and assist as many people as possible.
“The church is doing a wonderful job here. Imagine I got an injection and some tablets for free,” she said.
“There is nowhere I could have gotten these services for free. I pray that this initiative could be extended to other provinces so that everyone can benefit.”
A youth, Thulani Mkorozani, said he benefited from the career guidance, as well as the drug and substance abuse awareness campaign.
“Besides getting free medical service offered here, as a youth, I learnt a lot from the drug and substance abuse awareness campaign done here,” he said.
“These campaigns should always be conducted for the benefit of the youth. This generation will perish if something is not done immediately, and for a church to conduct such sessions is a step in the right direction towards winning the fight. I am thankful to the United Methodist Church for this.”
