Low uptake of Mpilo eye clinic services

RESIDENTS of Cowdray Park yesterday received free medical checks amid calls for members of the public to utilise public institutions for health care services.

Mr Khumbulani Ndlela from the Council for the Blind said it was disheartening to note that people especially the elderly were not visiting the eye clinic that was extended to Mpilo Central Hospital recently.

“We are here to help people gain knowledge on how best to take care of their eyes. We used to be centralised at the United Bulawayo Hospitals but we now have a branch at Mpilo and people should utilise such facilities,” said Mr Ndlela.

“We even have new technologies to test eye sight which makes it easier and faster to serve people. We are currently using a Mobile Application called Peek Acuity which allows anyone to measure visual acuity,” he said.

Mr Nqobani Moyo from the Cowdray Park Central Seventh Day Adventist church, which facilitated the health expo, said the church was concerned with the high number of residents who could not afford health care.

“We decided to serve our community by availing these services so that at least they have a health examination. Most of our families cannot afford to go and consult hence we have asked our friends to help out so we have a healthier community,” said Mr Moyo.

“We have dentists, eye care specialists and other practitioners who will help them with their blood sugar tests and blood pressure. We also have counselling and prayer sessions as we know that people tend to be stressed a lot these days,” he added.

One of the residents Mr Michael Jubane said the expo has given him an opportunity to consult specialists.

“I am happy that I can finally consult in the comfort of my neighbourhood. Such programmes are welcome in our community and we are grateful to the church for catering for our health needs,” said Mr Jubane.— @ thamamoe