Mukudzei Chingwere in NYAMAPANDA
Zimbabwe’s standing as a leader in healthcare provision in the region has seen Mozambicans crossing the border institutions to get medical assistance.
Last month, President Mnangagwa said the quest to revamp health provision systems and facilities towards regional and continental tourist attraction status is gathering pace, a move which dovetails with the 2030 vision of an upper middle income economy.
Prior to the Second Republic, Zimbabwean used to flock to international destinations in search of quality healthcare, but the Government has all but stopped the movement as it upgraded the local health sector, both in terms of resources, a return to proper maintenance of equipment and facilities and improvements in staffing.
Mozambicans and Zimbabweans living in that country are using both the formal and informal entry points to access Nyamapanda Clinic, located less than a kilometre from the border.
Nyamapanda Clinic had a target to immunise 3 273 children during the ongoing Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TVC) rollout. By yesterday morning 3 161 had been vaccinated.
The Herald spoke to two foreigners who had come to seek healthcare in Zimbabwe on why they had opted for local facilities.
I prefer Zimbabwean services because the way they conduct their work is more professional both in terms of records and general healthcare provision, said Mrs Getrude Fero.
At times it is difficult to access the clinic especially after the border was closed because of Covid-19. But most people take the risk and access the clinic through undesignated entry points.
Mrs Mary Kisimisi, who registered her pregnancy here, said: I trust Zimbabwean services that is why I have registered here because I believe I will get professional and good care. Since I started visiting this clinic and hearing others who go to Kotwa (District Hospital) there is no one from my country who has failed to get any special treatment they wanted.
Recently, Minister of Health and Child Care Vice President Constantino Chiwenga authorised local surgeons to assist separation of conjoined twins from Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon.
The appeal from the two countries followed the successful operations carried out at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital early this year and in 2014.
Despite the growing numbers of people of different nationalities, Nyamapanda Clinic is yet to attend to a single case of Covid-19, partly due to the extensive scrutiny by port health workers.
Nurse-in-charge at Nyamapanda clinic said Sister Sandra Tichivangani said all their services were free and they help everyone who visits their facility.
In terms of TCV, she said it has come at the right time especially with the vitamin supplements which boost nutrition.
Most children suffer from malnutrition. Most women are involved in vending at the border and they tend to give their children food which is not nutritional because they do not have time for cooking plus general poverty impacts nutrition, said Sister Tichivangani.
Nyamapanda port health officer, Ms Menesia Matigonda, said authorities had erected an impenetrable and effective Covid-19 response machinery.
Here at the port we make sure that we do not unknowingly take receipt of Covid-19 positive patients so as to minimise the spread of Covid-19 in Zimbabwe. We access all the necessary negative test certificates which are required by Zimbabwean regulations.
Even if you have the requisite documents to be allowed entrance we will do our screening as well. If you are positive or have symptoms we refer you for further screening, and you leave the port accompanied by health officials, said Ms Matigonda.
Zimbabwe has won plaudits from the World Health Organisation for an effective and thorough response to the global pandemic.