IT is disheartening to learn that the noble and life enhancing open heart surgery programme is facing collapse due to ‘supposed’ lack of financial support.
I say ‘supposed’ because there seems to be no commitment to make the programme achieve the desired results.
Government has ably played its part; it sourced machinery and additional skill to ensure the programme takes off
The average cost of surgery is pegged at US$4 000 compared to between US$20 000 to US$30 000 that our people have been forced to part with as they seek attention abroad.
In the past, valiant efforts have been made to raise these astronomical fees for our friends and relatives to receive treatment.
Churches, civic organisations and many other institutions have in the recent past helped raise funds for air-tickets, accommodation, food and post-surgery care for those suffering from heart-problems.
Thus I find it most disturbing and bewildering that we cannot now extend support to those in need of surgery locally.
It is sad that ongoing operations have been suspended due to lack of funds.
If we could raise astronomical fees why can we not raise the monies that are much lower than figures required in the past?
It is unfair and immoral for us to fold our hands and say companies that pledged financial assistance should deliver.
It is not the sole responsibility of the companies to support the programme.
It is the duty of every Zimbabwean.
Every institution, every organisation in the country that can help must assist.
Surgeons have availed their skills; some from abroad, others have delivered machinery at favourable terms to get the work done.
Yet support from other quarters is strangely not forthcoming.
We must not shoot ourselves in the foot.
We must not fold our arms and wait for others to deliver.
You and I have an obligation.
You and I have a duty.
You and I have a responsibility.
It is you and I who must ensure the programme is back on track.
We have always bemoaned misfortune of placing Europe, the West, at the centre of human experience, human existence and human development.
But we are a proud people and we have demanded to be treated as equals in the family of nations.
We are not inferior in any way.
As much as we need support and assistance, surely there are things we can do collectively on our own.
We have multi-millionaires in the country, despite the economic challenges, we have some thriving businesses in the country.
Our friends from other nations have helped us, their support they have not withheld.
But they can only do so much.
We also must act.
We must do.
A bond coin here and a bond coin there brought together will enable this all-important and life-transforming work to continue.
I appeal to our ubuntu/hunhu, to our sense of decency.
We are in the position to assist; we can help our kith and kin, if we want, if we choose to.
Rather than continuing with the song of lamentations and complaining, let us take the bull by the horns and ensure that our brothers, sisters, our children get the treatment they desperately need.
In fact we must overwhelm the caregivers with patients.
Calls that must be made are those of need for more medical personnel to meet demand from patients, not suspension of operations.