A MEDICAL doctor employed by the Health and Child Care ministry
at Beitbridge District Hospital has publicly declared her poverty and begged
for help via Twitter.
The NewsDay confirmed Sandra Kudzai Wayerera’s plea for
help. “It is the truth, I have nothing. Food here (in Beitbridge) is bought in
South African rands and I cannot afford that. I am accepting anything,” she
told this publication soon after her message went viral on social media on
Saturday.
“My name is Dr Sandra Kudzai Wayerera currently working at
a district hospital in Zimbabwe.”
“I am looking for any kind of donation. Nzara
yavakundikunda. Vakuru vakati ukanyara haugwaze, ndabvisa nyadzi dzose ndikauya
pano kuzokumbirawo rubatsiro. (I am starving. An old adage says who dares wins,
I have swallowed all pride to come here and ask for help). I am a breadwinner
and many people are looking up to me but hazvisi kubatana (I am failing to make
ends meet). Your assistance will be greatly appreciated. My EcoEash number is
*****. Thank you,” Wayerera posted on her Twitter handle.
She is indeed one of the five medical doctors at Beitbridge
District Hospital, two of whom are female.
Provincial medical director for Matabeleland South Rudo
Chikodzore and Health minister Obadiah Moyo did not respond to questions sent
yesterday.
Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association president Tawanda
Zvakada referred questions to secretary-general Emmanuel Masosota who was not
picking calls.
The situation faced by Wayerera is, however, not unique to
her alone.
Medical doctors had a protracted war with government over
remuneration until Higherlife Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Econet
founder Strive Masiyiwa, came to their rescue. They have also been pressing for
supply of drugs, hospital equipment and personal protective equipment.
The leaders in this country including the late President
Robert Mugabe, incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa and his two Vice-Presidents
Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi seek treatment outside the country while
neglecting local facilities that have become death traps for Zimbabweans.
“Her situation is sad and if doctors are this neglected
what more of a common person on the street,” a Zimbabwean who is in the United
Kingdom said on Twitter.
In Beitbridge, most civil servants are on the brink of
starvation and cannot afford food now priced in rands in most shops.
Civil servants who rely on rented accommodation have to
source rands to pay rentals.
Recently, the Defence and War Veterans deputy minister
Victor Matemadanda came under fire for his government’s improverishment of
medical doctors.
Matemadanda had gone on Twitter announcing his donation of
food hampers to doctors at Gokwe District Hospital, but former Health deputy
minister in the 2009-13 government of national unity Henry Madzorera slammed
the Zanu PF-led government for allegedly allowing doctors to become destitute
and live on handouts from top officials.
Several Beitbridge residents have pledged to assist
Wayerera. Beitbridge East legislator Albert Nguluvhe (Zanu PF) said he would
engage Wayerera, but had reservations on how she put her issue across.
“She jumped the protocol she must have followed procedure,”
Nguluvhe said.
Some residents, however, said hunger knows no protocol.
Newsday
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