DT Correspondent
The Ministry of Health and Child Care has partnered with Discovery Ambulances to launch outreach programs that will provide free medical services to residents in Zimbabwe’s marginalized communities.
These initiatives aim to enhance the health ministry’s efforts and improve healthcare accessibility.
The programs offer on-site screening and treatment for common conditions, providing essential medical care free of charge to community members who might otherwise struggle to access such services.
Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora announced the collaboration on Saturday during an outreach program in Epworth.
He revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Ministry of Health and Discovery Ambulances, formalizing the partnership and promoting sustainable collaborations within the nation’s health sector.
Mombeshora urged other private sector partners to join forces with the Ministry of Health to expand healthcare access nationwide. “We are working with Discovery Ambulances, and they are complementing our health delivery system through these outreach programs,” Mombeshora stated.
“These programs provide a complete chain of services, from testing and screening to treatment. We screen for common conditions such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), diabetes, and hypertension.”
He added, “We have signed an MoU with Discovery Ambulances as part of our Public-Private Partnership efforts. We encourage other private players to come forward and support the Ministry of Health in its mission to provide health services across the country.”
Discovery Ambulances CEO David Munowenyu noted that the Ministry of Health is providing nurses and doctors to support these outreach efforts.
“Many people are ill at home; some cannot afford treatment, and others have been referred to major hospitals but lack the means to travel,” Munowenyu explained.
“Discovery and the Ministry of Health have stepped in to bridge that gap under the Presidential Emergency Medical Scheme.”
Zimbabwe’s public health sector has faced significant challenges, with hospitals grappling with dilapidated infrastructure and an inadequate supply of medicines. Patients often bear the cost of essential services, including blood, medication, and diagnostic tests.