Villagers interviewed by The Zimbabwean last week said the Chipinge rural district was heavily burdened by malaria and there were no drugs available in the clinics. Daniel Sibanda, a villager in Mapungwana, said: They chased some of the
NGOs that were supplying us with drugs and medicines, but now people are dying in homes as there are no any drugs and medicines in some clinics. We are appealing to the local NGOs to come back to our rescue, as many people are dying of malaria.
Zimbabwe Hope Foundation (ZHF) and Zimbabwe Rural Development Agency (ZRDA) are some of the NGOs that suspended operations due to political pressure from Zanu (PF). Sibanda said malaria patients were usually referred to Chipinge General Hospital where they were told to buy the drugs from private doctors and pharmacies albeit exorbitant prices.
Sibanda said; We want Zanu (PF) to allow more NGOs in our areas. They have been helping us a lot in many things like food rations, health and financing self help projects. We have realized that the government and the MPs cannot do it alone they need assistance from the NGOs. Political leaders in the constituency have urged the donors to also assist the villagers to promote a healthy environment.
Stan Gudlanga, a ward six councillor for MDC-T, said: My appeal is that donors like Plan International should continue assisting the communities with malaria drugs and mosquito nets so that their efforts to produce for the nation is not affected by ill health. Gudlanga acknowledged the efforts of Plan International in combating malaria in the province and nation at large. A representative of Plan International Reason Dahwa said his organization is saddened by the fact that mainly children continue to die from malaria.
Plan International is currently operating in all the wards in all the districts in Manicaland and has to date donated 10 000
mosquito nets and is also engaged in technical support in training spray operators. We have so far sprayed 96 000 homesteads in the district to fight malaria that has the highest fatality rate in the district, he said.
Plan International was also engaged in the empowerment of women and youth in the district having donated sawing and netting machines. Children under five years and pregnant women are the most affected by 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: News