GOVERNMENT has put in place a monitoring and evaluation
system through the Joint Operation Command (JOC) to ensure health institutions
in the Midlands Province do not charge the elderly, pregnant women and minors
under the age of five.
This was said by Minister of State for Midlands Provincial
Affairs Owen Ncube as he welcomed First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa who was touring
the Gweru Provincial Hospital yesterday.
“It is disappointing to report that some of the health
institutions in the province were not complying with Government’s free user fee
for children aged five years and below, those aged 65 years and above and
pregnant mothers,” he said.
“In light of this, we have put in place a monitoring and
evaluation system through the Joint Operations Command (JOC) to closely monitor
this non adherence to policy.”
First Lady Mnangagwa was touring the hospital on a cervical
and breast cancer screening initiative. Minister Ncube urged Government to lift
a ban on the recruitment of health workers saying some institutions were
incapacitated. He said the new medical equipment procured by Government for
public health institutions should see hospitals offering better services.
“Some of the equipment is not being fully utilised as
vacant posts have been frozen. There is need for increasing staff at hospitals
as the current establishments are not in conformity with recent disease
burden,” said Minister Ncube.
The First Lady who is spearheading the fight against
cancer, launched the cervical, breast and prostate cancers screening programme
on Wednesday at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa donating foodstuffs during
her tour at Gweru Provincial Hospital yesterday. Looking on are Minister for
Midlands Provincial Affairs Owen Ncube and the Hospital's medical
Superintendent Dr Fabian Mashingaidze. Picture by John Manzongo
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa donating foodstuffs during
her tour at Gweru Provincial Hospital yesterday. Looking on are Minister for
Midlands Provincial Affairs Owen Ncube and the Hospital’s medical
Superintendent Dr Fabian Mashingaidze. Picture by John Manzongo
She was screened together with other women and also took
the fight against cancer to Mpilo Central Hospital. At Gweru Provincial
Hospital, she donated an assortment of foodstuffs. She urged both women and men
to be checked for cancer as it is a silent killer.
“Fathers and mothers, girls and boys, we are dying because
of this silent killer. Cancer is a silent killer and we should all go for
screening early so that if it is detected you then get early treatment. Cancer
knows no age, it knows no race. But it can be treated if detected early,” she
said.
UNFPA assistant representative Ms Abigail Msemburi
commended her for fighting against the disease.
“Globally cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer
which is often detected when it is too late to be cured resulting in the deaths
of women mostly in the prime of their lives,” she said.
“We want to express our sincere gratitude to the First Lady
for the commitment she has shown in raising awareness to the problem of
cervical cancer.” Herald
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