Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Bureau
More than 2 500 villagers from Shurugwi South Constituency on Wednesday received free medical attention and treatment from health experts through a National Security Authority (NSSA) mobile clinic. The mobile clinic which was stationed at Vugwe Primary School was sourced by the local Member of Parliament, Engineer Tapiwanashe Matangaidze who also provided transport for villagers from far away areas.
The medical crew provided services such as TB screening, BP checkups and diabetes tests among other chronic diseases and general treatment of common ailments. Eng Matangaidze, who is also the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, said the programme was mainly targeting the elderly who were failing to access health service due to various reasons.
“We are very grateful to NSSA for accepting my request to help us with a mobile clinic to Shurugwi. This is a mining community and most people are prone to diseases such as tuberculosis, diarrhoea and other related diseases. This will go a long way in improving the villagers’ health because most of the people are facing serious financial challenges and walk long distances to access health services.
“The exercise has received an overwhelming response and in some instances we had to provide transport for people to come and receive medical attention,” he said. An 89 year old Gogo Varaidzo Veronica Mudzingwa expressed gratitude to NSSA and the local MP for the services.
“I am old now and was diagnosed of Blood Pressure (BP). My legs get swollen from time to time. I happy that our area MP has brought this kind of health service which is convenient to the elderly like me,” she said. The free health services provision coincided with the constituency sports gala where 45 teams from three disciplines, soccer volleyball and netball converged at Vugwi primary school battled out. Eng Matangaidze said the sports gala would ensure that youths are occupied and also that the elderly stay in shape.
“The main thrust is to ensure that our youths are occupied and get entertainment through sports. We will also be able to scout for talent among the participants. For the elderly it helps them stay in shape,” he said.