Story by Lisa Masuku-Kurira
GOVERNMENT, through the National AIDS Council (NAC), is expanding access to healthcare services in Bulawayo through the Health on Wheels programme, which integrates screening and treatment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in underserved communities.
For the past nine months, the mobile clinic initiative has been delivering healthcare services directly to residents in suburbs such as Cowdray Park and Emganwini, reducing barriers to treatment and early diagnosis.
Community members say the programme has significantly improved access to healthcare, particularly in areas where health facilities are limited or located far from residential settlements.
“This mobile clinic has made it easier for us to access healthcare services because, here in Cowdray Park, most health facilities are located far from where we live,” a resident said.
“This ward does not have a clinic, so many of us were forced to travel long distances just to access basic health services,” another community member said.
The programme is being implemented by Zimbos Abantu under a social contract arrangement and has reached thousands of people since its launch.
“We started operating nine months ago, and we have managed to provide healthcare services to thousands of people in this area. The response from the community has been overwhelming, demonstrating the critical need for accessible healthcare services closer to where people live,” Zimbos Abantu Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Mr Tawanda Mushawedu said.
The initiative has attracted people from across different age groups, helping to promote health-seeking behaviour and early access to care.
Bulawayo NAC Provincial Manager, Mrs Nyathi commended the programme’s impact in extending healthcare services to previously underserved communities.
“We are happy with the manner in which Zimbos Abantu has managed to penetrate these underserved areas. As you can see, people coming to seek healthcare are not just from one particular age group. All age groups are taking charge of their health,” she said.
Health experts say integrating NCD services into HIV programming is critical to achieving national targets in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
“This clinic has really brought relief to this community, and this is a major step towards ensuring we end HIV and AIDS as an epidemic by 2030,” Medical Practitioner, Dr Kenneth Tshuma, said.
As Zimbabwe advances efforts to end HIV and AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, the Health on Wheels programme is helping to ensure that vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities have access to essential healthcare services closer to their homes.
