ZDF provide free medical treatment to Sipepa villagers

MRS Simayedwa Mnkandla of Sipepa area in Tsholotsho was taken aback on Tuesday afternoon when she arrived at a local hospital to be approached by a male dressed in military gear who gently asked how he could be of assistance.

By her admission the 51-year-old woman was surprised what a military officer was doing inside Sipepa Hospital, situated 70 kilometres from Tsholotsho centre.

In her mind, she has always imagined soldiers carrying guns and not assisting patients in a medical facility.

Mrs Mnkandla had come to Sipepa Hospital to seek medical assistance for a lump that has been inexplicably growing on the back of her neck for the last two months, causing her to suffer from excruciating pain and discomfort despite taking painkillers and other traditional medicines.

“I had no idea that the army (Zimbabwe National Army) had trained doctors, nurses and pharmacists. So, I was surprised when a gentleman wearing a military uniform asked me how he could be of assistance,” she said.

“He explained to me that he is a doctor from the army and that they will be treating patients at Sipepa Hospital for a week for free.

“I explained to the doctor what my problem was and I must say that the service from the army doctor was very good. I will also bring my diabetic mother to hospital so that they can take a look at her before they leave,” said Mrs Mnkandla.

She walked out of Sipepa Hospital with a smile on her face and medication in hand. Mrs Mnkandla was part of scores of patients who received free medical services and medication under the Zimbabwe Defence Forces community assistance programme where the uniformed forces assist patients from less privileged communities.

Another patient, Mrs Gladys Ngwenya, said she was pleasantly surprised when she picked up her asthma medication from a smiling lady who was also in military uniform at the hospital dispensary.

At Sipepa Hospital the ZDF brought a doctor, three pharmacists plus nine nurses.

The medical personnel will be in Tsholotsho until today (Friday), according to the director of nursing services, Colonel Benjamin Maheya.

“It’s important for the ZDF to identify with the population that we serve by offering free life-saving services such as medical assistance and medicine to less privileged communities in all corners of the country,” he said.

“Relations between the ZDF and communities can only continue to flourish when we come down to villages such as Sipepa and render services that are not affordable to the less privileged free of charge.

“I’m not surprised that a number of villagers had no idea that the ZDF has skilled and highly qualified doctors and nurses but after receiving excellent services from our medical personnel, they go back home happy and appreciative of the work that we do in their communities,” said Col Muheya.

Deputy Minister of Defence, Brigadier General (Retired) Levy Mayihlome, who is also Member of Parliament for Mzingwane constituency thanked the ZDF medical personnel for the sterling work they are doing at Sipepa Hospital.

“The people of Zimbabwe must know that the ZDF is made up of sons and daughters of this country who are always ready to assist them so I would like to commend you for the good work that you are doing,” he said.

“I will take it up with my ministry for this programme to be expanded to include mobile clinics that will offer services such as breast cancer screenings and other specialised services that are out of reach for a lot of villagers,” said Deputy Minister Mayihlome.