A team of six medical experts from Australia arrived in the country early this week to carry out cleft pallet surgery to people suffering from mouth disjoints.
Geita Gold Mine has sponsored the medical mission that would benefit 33 patients from different parts of the country who have turned up for treatment at Bugando Referral Hospital in Mwanza City.
Speaking from Geita, the coordinator of the medical support initiative, Dr. Alex Makomba said among the beneficiaries of the programme were 24 children and nine adults.
He thanked the management of Geita Gold Mine for the support that he said was received at the opportune time as medical reports in the area showed that there was an increase in the number of cleft pallet cases.
For his part, Geita Gold Mine public affairs officer, Simon Shayo said the company started extending similar support dating back to 2004, adding that up until July this year a total of 58 patients had benefited from the programme.
``The aim is to assist a total of 100 people before the end of this year and with the surgical treatment of the present number (33), we are going to reach the target by 90 per cent,`` Shayo explained.
According to the company representative, Musa Shunashu, the mine administration decided to support the community that seemed increasingly to associate the ailment with witchcraft beliefs.
``Some family members kept their children with disjoint lips fearing that their exposure would bring curse to the former. We want to stop this wrong perception and take people for medical attention.
Mashiku Mukanga (52), resident of Nzera Village in Geita said.
Previously women disliked and feared him, but after receiving treatment recently, he is planning to get married soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment