By Beverly Bizeki
Health service delivery in Masvingo is expected to improve soon with Discovery Ambulance Services (DAS) set open a branch in Masvingo to provide emergency medical services.
DAS Group Chief Executive Officer David Munowenyu confirmed the development and said the company hopes to bridge the gap in emergency medical services in Masvingo.
He said the province required the service more due to high number of fatalities recorded as it has one of the busiest highways in the country.
“We are excited about the prospect of setting a base in Masvingo. We take pride in our highly experienced staff, well maintained vehicles and advanced medical equipment. We are committed to offer emergency medical services to the best of our abilities
“Due to heavy traffic, the prevalence of accidents in this region is notably high and DAS aims to mitigate this challenge by reducing road carnage through rapid response and medical care,” said Munowenyu.
Munowenyu said the company’s goals was to provide emergency medical services at affordable rates as well as create employment through hiring staff from the region.
“The company will offer subscription packages starting from as little as US$1 per person making emergency medical services more accessible and inclusive. DAS is also committed to creating employment by hiring qualified and experienced paramedics from the region. Beyond emergency response, the company will provide inter-hospital transfers, Intensive Care Unit transfers, sports and event coverage, standby ambulance services for industries, schools and mines as well as other services typically offered by an ambulance service provider,” said Munowenyu.
Munowenyu said the company was open for business and welcome partnerships for collaborations in fighting road accidents fatalities and bridge the ambulance gap in Zimbabwe.
As part of the company’s social responsibility, DAS is set to conduct a series of medical outreaches programmes in Masvingo starting with Mutendi Estates on June 29 where they will be offering free consultations, blood pressure as well as diabetes tests, treatment and public health education after which they will proceed to Masvingo at Civic Centre.
The Masvingo highway serves a vital gateway to Zimbabwe’s largest trade partner South Africa which has access to Indian Ocean acting as Zimbabwe’s window to the world facilitating both imports and exports as Zimbabwe is landlocked.