Maravi

(HERALD) ‘Transparent voluntary organisations welcome’

‘Transparent voluntary organisations welcome’
Herald Reporter

GOVERNMENT of Zimbabwe would always welcome voluntary organisations such as Operation of Hope as long as their objectives are transparent and in tandem with the laws, regulations and policies of this country, a cabinet minister has said. The Minister of Health and Child Welfare Dr David Parirenyatwa said his ministry strongly re-affirms its policy of a harmonious co-existence with organisations working in health related areas as this was critical in helping to enhance health service delivery.

In a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Dr Edwin Muguti, during a farewell dinner for a United States’ team of medical doctors under Operation of Hope on Saturday, the minister said the organisation had done an impressive performance.

"I am reliably informed Operation of Hope has changed the lives of about over 1 800 children and families through its re-constructive surgeries of cleft lip and cleft palate conditions," said Dr Parirenyatwa said.

He stated that in Zimbabwe, Operation of Hope has, since its inception in October 2006, successfully carried out 43 re-constructive surgeries.

Dr Parirenyatwa said in all the cases performed in 2007, there were no complications or adverse reactions after the surgeries.

"This was an impressive performance and a confirmation that Operation of Hope thrives to attain lofty standards when executing its duties," he said.

The team which visited Harare Children’s Hospital on the same mission to perform re-constructive surgeries on children with cleft lip and cleft palate conditions, comprised of three surgeons- an anaesthetist, a programme director, three theatre nurses and four medical assistants.

"Dr Joseph Clawson, and your team, we indeed appreciate what you are doing to the people of this country and I urge you to continue with the same spirit of having a soft heart for the people of Zimbabwe," said Dr Parirenyatwa.

He said their mission to Zimbabwe was sending a clear message that they were being motivated by the love of the children and the overwhelming desire to assist on humanitarian grounds.



"To my ministry, this is a bold and positive step as this could be a harbinger for greater things to come in strengthening collaboration with your organisation," he said.

He said cleft lip and cleft palate conditions were common congenital anomalies, which required re-constructive surgeries.

Dr Parirenyatwa said the magnitude of this problem was not well known in this country and there was need for more research in this area.

"It is only after appropriate research has been carried out, that as a ministry, we could take appropriate intervention measures.

"There is a need for funding of research in this critical area to enable the ministry to make an appropriate national response," he said.

He appealed to stakeholders to support research in this area in order to make appropriate corrective measures.

He requested Dr Clawson and his team to assist Zimbabwean surgeons through training so that they could acquire requisite professional skills to enable them to operate children with cleft palate and cleft lip conditions.

Dr Parirenyatwa said it would be an unfortunate chapter in the country, if they failed to benefit from the vast skills that Operation of Hope has acquired since its establishment.

"There is an urgent need for the ministry to identify some few surgeons who could be considered for more specialised training for cleft lip and cleft palate as well as other facial deformities. I believe that Operation of Hope is prepared to facilitate the implementation of such a noble programme," he said.

Dr Parirenyatwa applauded the private sector especially Kingdom Bank for supporting the Operation of Hope mission to Zimbabwe, through funding for the multi-media campaign and provided a minibus to ferry the medical team.

Labels: NGOs, THE HERALD, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 3:45 AM