Government lauds Zaha

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Government will continue to support initiatives aimed at improving people’s livelihoods and health despite serious resource constraints.

Masvingo — Government will continue to support initiatives aimed at improving people’s livelihoods and health despite serious resource constraints, Deputy minister of Health and Child Care, Paul Chimedza has said.

BY OUR STAFF

Speaking at a Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association (Zaha) fundraising campaign for a young woman in need of a kidney operation in India, Chimedza said his ministry was fully supportive of such initiatives.

“This initiative is something that we support as government. We encourage [it] since this is the work that government should be doing,” he said.

Chimedza said government was facing challenges in light of the brain drain experienced in the health sector over the years. He said it was also expensive to sponsor kidney or heart transplants. “What is now needed is to formalise such initiatives and set up formally recognised structures or associations that will build a brand. This will make it much easier to source funding from other countries interested in helping out various health cases,” he said.

Zaha recently launched the Save Molly campaign in a bid to raise funds for a kidney transplant for a young woman, Mollen Ndinatse Makoni to undergo an urgent kidney transplant in India.

She was fortunate to obtain a kidney donor.

“No life should be lost when we can do something about it,” said Chimedza.

He pledged to engage MPs to help provide leeway for people who needed similar assistance.

“This initiative is unprecedented, it’s good for the province and the country,” he said.

Zaha director general Killer Zivhu said the housing organisation remained committed to helping people in need.

“We have already bought her tickets and we raised money together with PSMAS to the tune of US$8 500. What is now required is the remaining balance of US$30 000 which we are raising through this charity show,” he said.

Zivhu said once the funds are in place, Molly would be heading to India next Friday for the critical operation.

“As Zaha, we are also providing homes for orphans, elderly people and widows in dire situations under our charity programme,” he said.

“We will soon be launching a new initiative in Gutu where we will start donating cows that will bear more cows to help take care of orphans and other vulnerable people in the communities,” he said

Zivhu said cattle kraals would be built and managed by traditional chiefs. He said by 2018, Masvingo province would be taking the lead in assisting poor people for the betterment of the country.