First Lady’s Chipinge medical outreach benefits thousands
Tendai Rupapa
Thousands of people in Manicaland province, received free cancer screening services, eyesight checks as well as tests for other non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes courtesy of health Ambassador First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s drive towards a healthy nation.
With the assistance of practitioners from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the First Lady availed her fully-equipped Angel of Hope Foundation’s mobile hospital and mobile clinic to ensure beneficiaries were screened for cervical, breast and prostate cancers, hypertension, diabetes, and HIV and provided with family planning services.
There were other supporting tents serving people.
Amai Mnangagwa held discussions with school learners from primary to high school pupils on the dangers of early sexual relations and the need for them to remain in school for a brighter future.
It was surprising and concerning to learn that younger pupils as young as grade one have in-depth knowledge about sexual intercourse which is inappropriate for their age.
Asked by Amai Mnangagwa how they knew about all this in detail, the children pointed at social media saying that is where they see explicit content.
Others said it was through peer influence from their peers, who share experiences.
A Grade Six learner told the First Lady that there were girls from the primary school level who were already bedding men owing to a quest for money.
“What’s your message to them,” the First Lady asked and the young girl said: “Our time will come and let us not rush to do things that are not of our ages. Sexual relations are not for young people. What if you fall pregnant? If you drop out of school, what will your future be like? Are you not afraid of sexually transmitted diseases? Let us focus on our studies.”
She thanked Amai for her teachings.
“Those who have ears have heard what our mother has said,” she said to applause.
The open communication the First Lady had with the learners ensured they understood the context and implications of sexual intercourse before the time was right.
Dr Mnangagwa came across a pregnant under-aged girl.
She told her that she eloped with a 25-year-old man at the age of 15 while she was in grade seven.
Amai was so touched but she reprimanded her for getting pregnant at such a tender age when she was supposed to be in school. However, she urged her to always go for antenatal checks to ensure she delivered well.
The Mother of the Nation also held an interactive session with members of the community tackling thorny issues like drug and substance abuse and early child marriages.
Learners were given stationery, while girls also received sanitary pads, courtesy of the First Lady who pledged to donate sewing machines to the province for the girls to sew reusable pads.
Pregnant women also received baby preparation kits.
Dr Mnangagwa commended women and men for prioritising their health by coming for health checks including cancer screening and encouraged them to use all the mobile medical facilities.
She also rallied them to get tested for HIV.
The First Lady was delighted after seeing pregnant women being tested for HIV saying HIV testing during pregnancy is crucial for preventing mother-to-child transmission because it allows for timely access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for both the mother and infant, significantly reducing the risk of transmission.
Amai Mnangagwa is leading the fight against non-communicable diseases which are afflicting and claiming millions of lives across the globe.
People of various age groups received checks for various ailments to save lives because if treated early, the chances of survival for many diseases are high.
“Today’s programme is different from the one we had yesterday as I have come focusing on health including cancer screening. The world over, Zimbabwe included, cancer is a leading cause of death. If you are diagnosed early and placed on treatment early, it can be treated. It is critical to get screened for cervical, breast and prostate cancer.
“There is also HPV which causes cancer especially, among children who are sexually active. Young children must desist from engaging in sexual affairs before the time is ripe, but instead value their education,” she said.
“What are the dangers associated with having sexual intercourse at a tender age?” the First Lady asked.
Schoolgirls replied pointing at sexually transmitted infections, pregnancies and dropping out of school.
Dr Mnangagwa urged schoolchildren to learn to say “no” to any man or boy who comes with sexual advances.
She also spoke against drug and substance abuse, especially among youths. She advised people to use her 575 toll-free line and report such cases.
Amai Mnangagwa further urged people to consume healthy traditional food to keep fit.
Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Misheck Mugadza praised the First Lady for bringing health services to the people.
“Amai has brought a hospital and a clinic at our doorsteps, state-of-the-art medical facilities. The First Lady initiated this programme for us to get early treatment if found with any ailment. This is in a bid to prevent unnecessary loss of lives. Let us all make use of this platform to get screened for diseases. I would like to urge men to also prioritise their health by undergoing medical health checks. Research shows men are lagging,” he said.
Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Cde Angeline Gata who is also the legislator for Mutema-Musikavanhu Constituency praised the First Lady for her benevolence.
“Thank you, Amai for what you have done. We have what we call menstruation poverty so Amai what you have done, giving these girls pads will go a long way in alleviating period poverty among some of these girls. Some girls fail to attend school owing to lack of sanitary ware, which disturbs their studies,” she said.
Speaking at the same occasion, a National Aids Council representative showered praises on the First Lady.
“We would like to thank Amai for her women-centric programmes, especially with regards to health. On HIV and AIDS we managed to reach the 95-95-95 target. We have achieved what is called epidemic control. I’m happy to see pregnant women being tested for HIV. As a country, we want to eliminate Mother-to-child transmission. As NAC we urge everyone to get tested for HIV. Women, also rally your husbands to get tested for HIV,” he said.
Manicaland Provincial Medical Director, Dr Munyaradzi Mukuzunga, said medical outreach programmes were beneficial to the people and praised the First Lady for her thoughtfulness.
“We wish to thank the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for bringing the outreach here at Maunganidze in Chipinge District. We have women who have benefited by being screened for cervical cancer and mammography screening for breast cancer. People are also having eyesight examinations, hypertension and other ailments and are being attended to and given medication.
“We have doctors and many nurses who are attending to the people. Some pregnant women were also being attended to as well as being given teachings on what to eat and how to care for themselves. We thank the First Lady verily for her programme. Being tested for HIV is critical because here in Zimbabwe we have what we call triple elimination which seeks to end syphilis, HIV and Hepatitis B so that all children born in Zimbabwe will be free of HIV, free of syphilis and free of Hepatitis B. Women who are pregnant and those who are breastfeeding need to be continuously tested for these ailments so that they do not spread to the children. We want an HIV free generation. These medical outreach programmes are critical because there are some services that are largely not available all the time like at some clinics there will be no dental services but on outreaches we will have such services. We have eye specialists here present and those who did not have access are being helped and Amai is bringing the hospitals to the people,” he said.
Beneficiaries of the programme were equally upbeat.
“I want to thank our First Lady for coming to our rescue. We had grown accustomed to missing school during our monthly cycles but our mother has brought us sanitary pads which help us restore our confidence,” said an upper primary school learner at the event.
Gogo Marian Timburwa (70) thanked the First Lady for letting her know where she stands health-wise.
“I am so happy that today I have been screened for breast and cervical cancer free of charge because of our mother’s love. She has made it possible for me to undertake a test I never thought I would ever undertake in my life. May God bless her for her deep love,” she said.
Equally happy was Mrs Cynthia Bande who received a baby preparation kit from the mother of the nation.
“I want to thank the First Lady for what she has done for us today. Apart from letting us be tested, she gave us baby preparation kits. I had nowhere to start from and I am thankful for her double gift,” she said.
Bulawayo-based Arts group IYASA provided edutainment. – Herald