Story by Memory Chamisa
RESIDENTS of Epworth suburb in Harare have benefitted from free medical services this Friday as part of efforts to raise health consciousness among communities.
Various health care providers put up camps at Epworth Overspill Shopping Center as they provided an array of free services to the residents, an initiative which witnessed HIV testing, drug and substance abuse counseling sessions, cervical cancer screening and gender based violence awareness, among others.
“When I heard about the Expo I came out rushing as I wanted to get screened for cervical and breast cancer. I’m happy I’ve been attended to,” said one resident.
“As women such services are critical, especially family planning, the decision lies with us and we’re happy that we received birth control pills for free and also got to know of other family planning methods at hand,” said another.
“I have not been well the last couple of days and had self-diagnosed myself with BP but I got treated here and it turns out I was not even suffering from BP,” added another happy resident.
Organised by the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) project, the Expo also aims to empower adolescent girls and young women to make informed decisions about their sexual reproductive health.
“The turnout is great and we look forward to assisting everyone who is coming here be it drug and substance abuse counseling services, gender based violence we have a one stop center at hand that is waiting to assist anyone in need. We are also targeting young women and girls who are vulnerable to new infections of HIV,” said a nurse with DREAMS, Yeukai Manhidze.
The DREAMS project which is being implemented by Zim-TTECH supports the Ministry of Health and Child Care to deliver critical person centered, high quality HIV and TB services in Zimbabwe, thereby contributing towards attainment of the United Nations 95-95-95 goals in the country.
