The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
LAST week on Saturday, Population Solutions for Health (PSH) teamed up with The Manica Post to bring free health services to the Mutare community during the Health and Wellness Day held at Mutare Boys’ High School.
Manicaland residents came out in their numbers to this one-of-a-kind, Health and Wellness event.
The event went beyond just sporting activities to include health services such as cervical cancer screening and treatment, family planning and male circumcision.
A variety of health products were also available on demand, including condoms and medicine.
PSH, with the support from Embassy of Sweden and United States Agency for International Development (USAID), took this opportunity to connect with the everyday person at the event, educating them on the benefits of taking control of their health and seeking free sexual and reproductive health services offered on the day.
“Our vision is to ensure that people from all walks of life have easy access to health services and achieve the highest possible wellness, free from unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections including HIV and all forms of sexual violence and coercion.
“We work with Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT) and the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) to make services easily accessible through the Mutare New Start Centre and outreach sites in and around Mutare,” said Mr Charles Uzande, the regional quality assurance specialist for PSH.
“Last Saturday we offered a wide range of services, including Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) for young men between the ages of 15 and 29 years, HIV counselling and testing, medication to people living with HIV and for those who want to prevent it, family planning methods, and cervical cancer screening.”
For adolescent girls and young women, PSH was offering menstrual health products such as reusable pads and information to ensure that girls can continue with their daily lives during their periods.
The organisation appeals to families and communities to speak openly about menstrual health as a natural issue that should not be stigmatised.
Parents are encouraged to ensure that girls do not miss school or other activities due to lack of adequate menstrual health products.
“We urge women not to wait until they feel something is wrong, as cervical cancer can be treated if detected early,” said Mr Uzande.
One of the women who received the screening, Mrs Molline Makarimana said she was grateful for the opportunity and the information.
“I have learned a lot about cervical cancer and how to prevent it. I appreciate that they came to our community and offered us free screening. I encourage other women to take advantage of this service and take care of their health,” she said.
The national anti-GBV campaign, Love Shouldn’t Hurt and Give Me A Chance, I Am A Child Not A Wife were also well presented at the event.
Ms Patricia Gwezere, the brand officer for the Love Shouldn’t Hurt, RudoHarurove Campaign, said: “It puts men at the forefront of speaking publicly against intimate partner violence (IPV).
“We are challenging them to rethink on such behaviour and engage in non-violent ways to resolve conflict in relationships. There is so much they can lose and the harmful effects they are inflicting on their partner is inhuman. They should PAUSE, WALK AWAY, and call the campaign toll-free number 08080117 to seek help,” said Ms Gwezere.
Running concurrently, the Give Me A Chance Campaign is stamping out child marriages by putting girls at the forefront of asking for a chance to fulfil their dreams without the negative effects of being married off early.
It raises awareness in the community that marrying or marrying off a child below 18 is illegal.
Population Solutions for Health operates the New Start Centres at Number 81, Corner 2nd Street and Fifth Avenue in Mutare and 206 Philips Avenue in Chipinge.
They are also available on toll free number 08080117 if you want your health questions answered.
On digital media, you can visit their website on www.https://psh.org.zw/ or follow @PSHZim on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
