FULL BODY SCAN SCAM
CONCERN has been raised over the proliferation of companies offering free medical scans in the Central Business District, claiming the results are questionable and have caused tension between married couples.
One man was told it was very unlikely he was ever going to have children even though, at that time, he already had two kids.
Sales agents distribute pamphlets on street corners, leading to territorial disputes, while those queuing for scans are asked their weight, height and name.
They are then told to rub their hands together before being instructed to grasp a metal rod, linked to a computer.
The resulting diagnoses are often viewed as unreliable.
One resident only identified as Lawrence, who did a free scan, narrated his ordeal to H-Metro.
“After the scan, they told me that I have a low sperm count and would struggle to have children.
“They also told me that I’m at risk of developing prostate cancer because of what the machine showed them, which I found weird.
“They also told me that I have a lot of fat in my blood that could lead to a stroke.
“It was very disturbing because I failed to understand how a scan on the fingers alone determines what is going on in my whole body.
“They then gave me a prescription of various herbal medicines which they sell for US$90.”
Lawrence said he never bothered to go back to them, as he already has two kids.
“What I found very weird was them telling me that I have a low sperm count because I already have two children so I found this finding quite disturbing,” he said.
Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe president, Dr Johannes Marisa, said people were losing a lot of money on medicines that have not been proven to work.
“Indeed, there is a proliferation of these so-called healers who come in the form of herbalists.
“One thing people should know is that as medical practitioners, we are regulated by the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Council of Zimbabwe whereas registered herbalists are regulated by the Traditional Medicines Council of Zimbabwe.
“But what surprises us is that not many of these herbalists are registered, so whatever things they might be doing may be clandestine and right now they are practicing without anyone monitoring their activities which is quite sad.
“People are losing a lot of money; the prices are extortionate, and there is no scientific evidence that some of the things that they are selling are of medical importance,” said Dr Marisa.
He urged the Government to establish control to stop them abusing people.
“Some of the drugs that are being given to people may be dangerous because these people don’t care about the health of the nation, all they want is money.
“The tragic reality is that people are now shunning professional medical advice and relying on herbalists and also home remedies which don’t have dosages, with no side effects known.
“Many are dying when home remedies turn out insufficient on a particular day and they still don’t seek help quickly.”