News / National
Hospital for disabled children opens
27 Mar 2016 at 08:53hrs | Views
AN impromptu initiative in 2012 to rescue six dystrophic children of the Gwizo family from exclusionary and discriminatory setting that impeded their growth and chances of attaining full potential - has culminated in the creation of a sophisticated centre for neuromuscular patients.
Manica Post reported that the first phase of Mount Olive Muscular Dystrophy Centre built by District Outreach for Care and Support (Docas) at Claire was commissioned last month and focus is now on raising $10 million to complete the second phase which includes a 100-dedded hospital.
The centre integrates rehabilitation and education of the often neglected and abandoned dystrophic children, while ensuring that their healthcare is improved.
Inmates have access to treatment and assistive technologies that prolong their life, access to advanced tests of diagnosis that allow them to know specific type of MD they have, know what the future will bring and risk of passing the disease on to their children.
The centre's goal is to cater for an estimated 3 250 MD patients in Zimbabwe.
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a genetic disease that gradually causes weakness and loss of muscle function.
Patients with the condition lack normal dystrophin, a protein found in muscles, which helps to protect muscles from injury.
In patients with the disease, the muscles become damaged and eventually stop working, leading to disability or death.
The disease affects males in a family and it is common to have many muscular dystrophy patients under one roof – and in most cases these patients are prone to ridicule and considered a burden.
Docas chief executive officer, Reverend Togara Mapingure, said the centre was dream come true as it provided everything required for quality life for the dystrophic children, including a school, whose integration was meant to eliminate travelling barriers and deeply ingrained cultural intolerances.
"We have a holistic package for the children, a hospital, muscular dystrophy centre and school all rolled into one to effectively improve the condition of the children. We moved 30 children with muscular dystrophy and we expect more," said Rev Mapingure.
Manica Post reported that the first phase of Mount Olive Muscular Dystrophy Centre built by District Outreach for Care and Support (Docas) at Claire was commissioned last month and focus is now on raising $10 million to complete the second phase which includes a 100-dedded hospital.
The centre integrates rehabilitation and education of the often neglected and abandoned dystrophic children, while ensuring that their healthcare is improved.
Inmates have access to treatment and assistive technologies that prolong their life, access to advanced tests of diagnosis that allow them to know specific type of MD they have, know what the future will bring and risk of passing the disease on to their children.
The centre's goal is to cater for an estimated 3 250 MD patients in Zimbabwe.
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a genetic disease that gradually causes weakness and loss of muscle function.
Patients with the condition lack normal dystrophin, a protein found in muscles, which helps to protect muscles from injury.
In patients with the disease, the muscles become damaged and eventually stop working, leading to disability or death.
The disease affects males in a family and it is common to have many muscular dystrophy patients under one roof – and in most cases these patients are prone to ridicule and considered a burden.
Docas chief executive officer, Reverend Togara Mapingure, said the centre was dream come true as it provided everything required for quality life for the dystrophic children, including a school, whose integration was meant to eliminate travelling barriers and deeply ingrained cultural intolerances.
"We have a holistic package for the children, a hospital, muscular dystrophy centre and school all rolled into one to effectively improve the condition of the children. We moved 30 children with muscular dystrophy and we expect more," said Rev Mapingure.
Source - Manica Post
