By Thandiwe Garusa
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has partnered Discovery Ambulances to conduct outreach programmes offering medical services to inhabitants of marginalised communities.
The outreach programmes, aimed at complementing the health ministry and improving services, offer on-site screening and treatment for common conditions.
The medical services are provided free of charge to community members, who need them and may not easily access them.
Speaking at one of the outreach programmes in Epworth on Saturday, Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Ministry of Health and Discovery Ambulances to formalise the collaboration and promote sustainable partnerships in the country’s health sector.
Mombeshora urged other private sector partners to join hands with the Ministry of Health in expanding access to healthcare services across the country.
“We are working together with Discovery Ambulances, they are complementing our health delivery system through the provision of outreach programmes.
“In these outreach programmes, the whole chain from testing, screening to treatment is provided. We screen for common conditions such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), diabetes, and hypertension.
“We have signed a MoU with Discovery Ambulances, which we are promoting as part of our Public Private Partnership efforts.
“We encourage other private players to come in and complement the Ministry of Health in its quest to provide access to health services throughout the country,” Mombeshora said.
Discovery Ambulances CEO David Munowenyu said the Ministry of Health is providing them with nurses and doctors to support the outreach exercises.
“People are sick at home, some do not have money to afford treatment and some have been referred to major hospitals but cannot afford to go. Discovery and the Ministry of Health have stepped in to cover that gap under the Presidential Emergency Medical Scheme,” Munowenyu said.
Zimbabwe’s health sector has collapsed, with public hospitals suffering from dilapidated infrastructure and an inadequate supply of medicines. Patients are often required to pay for essentials such as blood, medication, and diagnostic services.