By Tendai Guvamombe
The Adam Molai Foundation a local private voluntary organisation registered with the ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare recently proved that life is meaningless without access to good health services when they roped in medical doctors and other related facilities aimed at assisting Cyclone Idai victims.
President Mnangagwa declared last Saturday and Sunday as two days of mourning and honouring citizens who perished during the Cyclone Idai disaster. The business community has been pro-active in rendering endless support to the victims in Chimanimani and other affected areas.
The response shown so far truly epitomsed the highest level of cooperation and social responsibility shown by the corporate world.
The Adam Molai Foundation deployed a 10-member medical team comprising of general practitioners, four specialists doctors as well as a neurologist who will be expected to provide free healthcare to patients.
Presenting donations amounting to $ 250 000 before the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare offices in the Harare recently, Itai Watinaye, the Chairperson of the Adam Molai Foundation confirmed the donations as a philanthropic move meant to ease wounds brought about by Cyclone Idai.
“We have arranged a team of medical doctors, general practitioners and specialists and we have also brought in medical supplies. We understand that some have been injured and we believe some of the injured can be treated without specialist attention but there are other areas where we felt there is need for specialist attention so have engaged the services of 10 doctors whom we have engaged,” reiterated Watinaye.
Other materials donated include 500 blankets, sugar, water, beans and beverages.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Dr Judith Kateera highlighted that more was still needed to be done as the extent of damage was seen in Masvingo province where about 3900 houses were destroyed.
“I have just come back from Masvingo. It’s another sad story. About 3 900 households have lost homes. In addition to what we are receiving for the immediate attention, we are appealing for anything that can go towards recovery of life after Idai.
“We are appealing for donations in the form of building material, that is cement, bricks and even labour,” said Kateera.
She however appealed for well-wishers who are donating various materials to register with the ministry before going to affected areas for purposes of transparency and accountability.
There has been a massive trekking of well-wishers to the Eastern Highlands and down to the affected areas donating various food stuffs. Concerns have been raised over the traceability of activities being carried out by some unidentified persons in the affected areas.
It is however reported that much of the areas worst affected are not accessible owing to flooding hence food aid is getting to the intended beneficiaries through air drops from helicopters from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and Econet Wireless.