Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) has started taking advantage of traditional ceremonies to provide healthcare to hard to reach areas. The officials have shared that the citizens who attend these ceremonies can easily access thee facilities provided tot them.
The Medical Director for the organization, Chisanga Puta has shared the significance of the programme. He said that that traditional ceremonies provide a platform for the organisation to attend to the huge number of people.
The officials have shared that the programmes give a platform to the Flying Doctors Service. The officials made these remarks during the Chakwela Makumbi Traditional Ceremony of the Soli people.
The event was being hosted in Chongwe District on Saturday, Dr Puta said traditional ceremonies present rare opportunities to the ZFDS to administer early surveillance of various diseases.
She explained that diseases such as hypertension are usually dealt with better in these situations. This is because most people rarely find a chance to get screened for these diseases. ZFDS picks up new cases and gives appropriate treatment and follow-up that is needed for the patients.
“So it is always important to attend ceremonies in that aspect because in an event that the ceremony records casualties, we can attend to such cases immediately,” she said.
Dr Puta noted that usually the team moves with the dental department knowing that dental services in rural areas are scarce.
She further said the ZFDS moves with eye specialists who screen and offer free reading glasses and that dispensation of needed drugs is done immediately.
“So here we have come to participate in the Chakwela Makumbi Traditional Ceremony of the Soli people to conduct the same activities that we usually do, this is in a bid to supplement government efforts by ensuring that we provide quality health services to the people,” she said.
Every time the team is attending the traditional ceremonies, it works with the district health office. The departments help in identifying patients that can access emergent medical services.
Dr Puta observed that at least over 1000 people are screened and provided with necessary medical attention at one traditional ceremony.