Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu [email protected]
OVER 200 patients have benefited from free medical services provided during an outreach programme conducted at three major hospitals in Matabeleland South.
The two-day programme, conducted under a partnership between Government, the Surgical Society of Zimbabwe and other partners, was held at Gwanda, Maphisa and Filabusi hospitals on September 1 and 2, 2026.
About 90 patients underwent operations free of charge, with medical procedures including general surgery, paediatric surgery, ear, nose and throat procedures, orthopaedic surgery and urology.
The programme is part of Government’s efforts to enhance universal access to healthcare in line with Vision 2030.
It gave patients who had struggled for years to access surgery an opportunity to receive critical surgical services.
Surgical Society of Zimbabwe secretary-general Dr Precious Mutambanengwe said the outreach had made a significant difference to patients and their families.
“We have touched lives; you could tell how impactful the programme has been. Some travelled for many kilometres to access this service. The programme has benefited adults and children who had waited for a very long time to get a solution for their health problems.
“The true impact is immeasurable. You can see by the smiles on the faces, the parents’ faces, that a huge burden has been lifted. Their children can now go to school having operations that were delayed for years because of the unavailability of theatre time. People can finally go to work without discomfort,” she said.
@DubeMatutu
