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Joan Tsikira Herald Reporter
Over 5 000 people from Chitungwiza town and surrounding areas are expected to receive free medical treatment for various ailments during a week-long programme initiated by the Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZiMA).
The programme, which is being conducted at Chitungwiza Central Hospital, started on Monday with the screening of patients. The hospital’s chief executive officer, Dr Obadiah Moyo, said the the programme was part of the institution and ZiMA’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.
He said the screening process would run until Thursday after which free treatment would be offered on Friday and Saturday. “There will be special camps for eye specialists set up and there will be simple eye surgeries,” Dr Moyo said.
He said the specialists ranged from gynaecologists to physicians and opticians among others. “This is part of the hospital’s social responsibility programme of ensuring that all patients including those financially disadvantaged, access treatment when needed regardless of their age,” said Dr Moyo.
In a statement, ZiMA said its members both in the private and public sectors would be offering free medical services.
“We recognise challenges facing the society in which we operate,” reads part of the statement. “Therefore as part of our social responsibility programmes, we visit disadvantaged institutions around the country and provide medical services for free.”
The free medical treatment programme is running for the second time this year and Chitungwiza Central Hospital is the first urban centre to play host.
The free treatment programme is supported by well wishers in cash and in kind.
During the period, doctors will do ward rounds checking on the patients’ conditions.
Some of the services to be offered include HIV testing, counselling, dental services and blood sugar level screening.
The programme is usually conducted in rural areas where access to medical services is a challenge.
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