Free surgery for Beitbridge residents

More than 20 people have undergone successful surgery by specialist doctors under the free surgical medical outreach programme conducted at Beitbridge District Hospital recently.

Following a free medical outreach programme that benefited 5 123 people in Beitbridge last month, the Zimbabwe National Development Association (ZNDF) in collaboration with surgical services of Bulawayo have performed various specialist operations on patients that were screened during the initial programme.

In an interview with the ZBC News, the executive director of the ZNDF Mr Themba Ncube described the operations that included hernia repairs and removal of tumors as successful although the shortage of blood stocks saw the specialist doctors failing to perform major surgeries.

Mr Ncube said dental and eyesight problems are also among the most prevalent diseases in the province, hence efforts to ensure rural communities get specialist treatment through the programme.

The free medical outreach programme that has benefited thousands of people in Umzingwane, Gwanda and Beitbridge is meant to afford marginalised communities an opportunity to get specialist treatment.