Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. HUNDREDS of villagers in Chikomba West constituency gathered in various wards on Friday and Saturday to receive free medical treatment as part of the Presidential Medical Care initiative aimed at improving people’s health.
The two-day outreach programme saw a significant number of individuals receiving treatment and medical training.
Zimbabwe’s healthcare facilities have been deteriorating over the years, exacerbated by the pullout of aid from donors such as USAid, exposing the country’s health system.
In response, TelOne, in partnership with Discovery Services and Chikomba West legislator Tendai Mavetera, rolled out medical outreach to assist the community in getting them treated of different diseases.
The wards covered included Chambara wards 4 and 6, Leleza and Chitsa 7 and 13, Chisarasara ward 20, Tashinga Logan Lee School and Beatrice.
Speaking during the outreach programme, Mavetera said the programme had assisted many villagers in the constituency.
“This project is a part of the Presidential Emergency Medical Scheme, which is aimed at helping people to improve their health, as it is one of the most important things and we are here to provide access to healthcare to the people who are sick and in need. We are here to provide access to healthcare and we are grateful for the support you have given us,” she said.
“We have come up with projects which are meant to empower these young people and people with disabilities. We also have a fishery project, which was launched by His Excellency at Chivhu Dam.
“He launched a fishery scheme and now we have got various sectors of our constituents which are also benefiting, which include the youth, the women, our war veterans, even people with disabilities. This is a project that we are also doing. We are also doing infrastructure projects, which include rehabilitating our clinics.
“Digital skills training, we have done it here. Today we are doing the first aid training, we have done the skills training, under which we have empowered a lot of people, more than 5 000 people.”
Discovery Ambulances Services chief operations officer, Taylor Mvududu, underscored the importance and benefits of medication rollout services, saying the initiative will help people in communities.
“We are here to target every vulnerable person, young and old, to ensure we screen them, screen them for all medical conditions.
“So we have a group of doctors, nurses and we are also working with the Chivhu District Hospital. So we have many, many people who are coming to support,” he said.
He said there was a need for all Zimbabweans to get first aid training.
“Why is first aid important? In the event of any emergency, a child is sick, or an accident, you are the first person to respond. So you need those critical skills. So we are training basic first aid to all people who have come today, and everything we are doing is free,” he said.
TelOne chief executive Lawrence Nkala said the telecommunications firm saw it fit to roll out the medical outreach as healthcare services were core to everyone.
“As a community-focused company, TelOne is dedicated to enhancing access to healthcare services. We believe that every individual deserves quality medical care and we will continue to support our communities through initiatives like this,” he said.
TelOne handed over 10 wheelchairs to the constituency as part of its social and sustainable development projects
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