Story by Memory Chamisa
Residents of Harare’s high-density suburb of Hopley have received a shot in the arm through the Health Ambassadors for Economic Development medical outreach programme.
For the residents, both the elderly and the young, the gesture is more than welcome as many had ailments that needed attention.
“I have had stomach cramps for months, but was procrastinating on coming to the hospital but when I heard there was an outreach I had to come here,” said a beneficiary.
Another said, “My grandson injured his leg and I thought it was just a sprain, but when the leg started swelling I panicked and came here only to be told everyone is being done for free.”
“I am grateful to the President for this initiative of availing free medical services. Hopley faces many challenges but we are grateful,” added another.
Health Ambassadors for Economic Development national chairperson, Ms Cynthia Chisiri raised concern about cases of teenage pregnancies that they recorded during the outreach programme.
“It’s heartbreaking what is happening here in Hopley. A girl came in three months pregnant and being pushed in a wheelbarrow we had to put her on a drip, it’s sad what’s happening here. We also had cases of drug and substance which have had a great hold on most of the youths here,” she said.
Hopley Suburb is one of the areas that have benefitted from the government’s hospital infrastructure development agenda, with Tariro Clinic and the nearby Stoneridge Health Centre servicing a large catchment area.
