SYDNEY SAIZE IN MUTARE
One hundred children aged between two and 12 years have benefitted from free hernia scanning and surgical operation in Mutare the city of Mutare, Business Times can report.
The exercise was conducted by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in partnership with the World Health Organisation, the Japanese government and Celebration Health.
The beneficiaries were drawn from across the country. The programme kicked off on Monday this week at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare.
One of the leading doctors Dr Patricia Mtambanengwe told Business Times they had come to Mutare to operate on only 100 patients diagnosed with hernia despite the overwhelming turnout at the province’s major hospital.
“We are aware of the large numbers here, but there is only a limited number of patients that will be attended to during the course of this programme,” Dr Mtambanengwe said.
Countrywide, there are more than 1000 hernia patients that need to be attended to, she said.
Dr Mtambanengwe said the thrust of the programme was in line with the government and the Ministry of Health and Child Care not leaving anyone and any place behind in as far as health care provision is concerned.
Concellia Makoni from Marondera, whose child went under the knife on Tuesday was ecstatic following a ‘successful’ hernia surgery.
“I am so grateful, I do not know how to thank all those behind this gesture, the Japanese government, the Zimbabwe government, Celebration Health and the WHO for rescuing my child. I was hopeless and have just been given hope. I am the happiest person today, God is great,” Makoni said.
Another mother whose child was due for operation Rosario Maida said her child had been in discomfort for a very long time and would not play with others and was always in solitary isolation and would seldom eat.
“I am confident after the surgery all will be a thing of the past and my child would be like any other child out there who would be a bundle of joy and be playful,” Maida said.
However, for some who did not have a chance to have their children checked and operated on, it was all disappointment, like Lovejoy Kusena.
Kusena said she was disappointed that she had spent a lot of money after travelling from Nyanyadzi, about 125km south of Mutare to the referral hospital confident of getting help.
“It is a bad day for me. I had thought the nightmare on my son would come to an end, but alas the suffering continues,” said the dejected mother.
Kusena was not alone in despair as hundreds were also left unattended and told to try their luck next time.
A hernia scanning and surgery procedure is estimated to cost upwards of US$400, which most average families find difficult to raise.
