Story by Tamuka Charakupa
MORE than 1 200 villagers in Sanyati have benefited from free healthcare services delivered through a medical outreach initiative under the Presidential Emergency Medical Scheme, supported by Discovery Ambulance Services.
The two-day programme, held last Friday and Saturday in Wards 11 and 16, provided free doctor consultations, medical check-ups, exercise sessions, and essential medications.
Beyond treatment, the initiative also trained more than 150 villagers in basic first aid, each receiving a certificate of completion to strengthen community capacity in responding to health emergencies.
For many, including Sekuru Augustine Hozheli, who lives with a disability, the programme was timely and deeply appreciated.
“I am grateful for the programme, as it has given me access to a medical doctor. As someone who uses a wheelchair, travelling to Sanyati Hospital to be examined by a doctor is difficult and requires money, which I don’t have,” he said.
“We want to thank the Second Republic for bringing these critical services closer to the people,” beneficiary, Mr Patson Chakauya noted.
An official from Discovery Ambulance Services, Dr Pardon Kambamura, noted that many chronic illnesses were identified during the outreach, highlighting the importance of such interventions in rural areas.
“This outreach has given us the chance to reach people who normally walk long distances or go without medical attention. We managed to screen, treat, and counsel many patients today. What is most encouraging is seeing the relief on people’s faces when they know their health matters. We believe such programmes are vital in improving the well-being of rural communities,” he added.
Responding to ongoing healthcare needs, Sanyati Member of Parliament, Honourable Polite Kambamura, pledged to supply blood pressure machines to every village health worker and re-equip local health centres.
“We are working on constructing more clinics in the area using my funds and those from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), in line with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030. This is in addition to the Devolution Funds that our council receives annually. As we wait for more clinics to cut the distance travelled by our people, we will be engaging in mobile medical outreach so that those in hard-to-reach areas benefit,” she noted.
This is not the first time the initiative has reached out to the community. In February this year, more than 700 villagers also benefited from free medical assistance at Nyimo Business Centre, under the same programme.
