MIDDLE SABI Desperate villagers from the malaria prone Middle Sabi are appealing to local Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) for assistance with drugs to help fight the menacing disease.Moses Mushawatu a villager told The Zimbabwean: We are appealing to the local NGOs to come to our rescue, as many people are dying of malaria. There are no drugs in the clinics.
Mushawatu said on many occasions the malaria patients were taken to Chipinge Hospital while serious cases were referred to Mutare Provincial hospital where they were told to buy the drugs from private doctors and pharmacies albeit exorbitant prices.
Susan Makwarimba said; We want the government to allow more NGOs in our area. They have been helping us a lot in many things like food rations, health and financing self help projects. We have realised that the government and the MPs cannot do it alone they need assistance from the NGOs.
My appeal to donors like Plan International is to continue assisting the communities with malaria drugs and mosquito nets, said Herbert Sibanda an MDC councillor in the area.
Sibanda acknowledged the efforts of Plan International in combating malaria in the province and nation at large.
A representative of Plan International, Reason Dahwa said: Children under five years and pregnant women are the most affected with malaria and Plan International has introduced a programme of educating school teachers to detect infections in children. We have taught the teachers first aid skills to facilitate quick cure of children and complement efforts of nurses who are currently over burdened due to the human resource shortage.
Post published in: Analysis