Online Reporter
Nomalisa Gumpo, [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) has embarked on a week-long free medical care services outreach programme where it is assisting the needy across the country, thereby complementing Government efforts to improve access to quality health services.
The outreach began on Monday and is part of the build-up towards the ZDF Holiday slated for August 12 in honour of the role played by the uniformed forces in protecting the country and preserving peace and stability.
On Thursday, the ZDF health teams extended free medical services to beneficiaries at Bango Clinic in Bulilima District, where dozens of people were attended to.
“We received services that we don’t usually get from the clinic and the ZDF showed us kindness and treated us well with love,” said Mr Ephraim Dube.
Another beneficiary, Ms Thelma Lubimbi, noted the shortage of some services within local clinics and limited staff members.
“Our clinic does not have enough medication. All we got here was prescriptions to go and buy at pharmacies, but today I was able to get my asthma treatment for free and my left side of the body had a problem and I was treated,” she said.
Some beneficiaries raised concerns over long distances travelled to get medical treatment and the high costs that prevent them from getting treated.
“Our main hospitals are far away and it was hard to get help. They only have HIV treatment and sometimes people die here waiting for ambulances,” said Mr Vivian Ncube.
Chief Bango said the community appreciates the ZDF programme as it brought joy to the community, noting a high number of people who face eye problems within the community.
“To be chosen out of the whole district as Bango, we really appreciate ZDF, they came and assisted everyone with all the medication that they needed,” he said.
Representing the Sister-in-Charge at the Clinic, Sister Precious Moyo, said that as a clinic, they are grateful for the assistance from ZDF. He said normally they attend to less than 25 patients a day, but they were now able to attend to more than 200 a day under the ZDF programme.
“We have a shortage of stuff, we struggle with chronic medication, but through ZDF assistance, people in the community were assisted,” she said.
A majority of the beneficiaries are those above 50 years of age whose problems included asthma, diabetes and hypertension, among others.
Sister Moyo also noted the lack of water supply, saying the clinic shares a borehole with the whole community and stuff.
“Our clinic has no water supply of its own and it has been five years without electricity. We also need more staff to be able to cater for the whole community,” she said.
Members of the ZDF who were facilitating the medical outreach programme said the initiative is targeting vulnerable members of the community while complementing the Government’s drive to enhance access to health care.
“We realised that there is a lack of drugs in most rural health centres. Most people are referred to pharmacies in cities and towns, but they don’t have the financial resources to travel and acquire them,” said Major Dr Gabriel Zvidzai.
He said their teams witnessed high numbers of eye problems within the Mangwe community and received a great response from the community members.
“We consider our programme a success as people responded quite well and received free medical services. There is a need for intervention to provide electricity to the clinic and water,” he said.
