By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
MOUNT DARWIN — Hypertension and diabetes have emerged as the most prevalent non-communicable diseases treated at Karanda Mission Hospital, while HIV remains the leading communicable disease, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent has revealed.
In an interview recently, Dr Takudzwa Sasa said the trend raises important questions about lifestyle and health in the community.
“The thing is, we’re not really good at discovering whether this condition is happening more because Zimbabweans are becoming more stressed or fatter. I don’t know what it is.
“But it’s now at the top of our list — hypertension, diabetes, all those non-communicable diseases,” Dr Sasa explained.
Dr Sasa
Communicable Diseases Still a Concern
Among communicable diseases, HIV tops the list, followed closely by tuberculosis.
“HIV is still high on the list, followed by TB. That’s still quite prominent,” he said.
Surgical Cases
On the surgical front, Dr Sasa identified hernia cases, abdominal operations, and bone surgery as the most common procedures.
“As far as surgery is concerned, the highest things we get are hernia cases, abdominal operations, and bone surgery,” he said.
September: The Busiest Month for Maternity
Dr Sasa revealed that September is the busiest month for the hospital’s maternity ward, with a predictable pattern behind the rush.
“Most women have their husbands working in South Africa. When they come in December for holidays, we know they will deliver in September. Everywhere, women would find out. That’s why we make sure our specialist doctor is available in September,” he said.
Substance Abuse on the Rise
Turning to drug and substance abuse, Dr Sasa said cases of broncleer abuse and alcohol consumption were prevalent in and around the Karanda community.
“Substance abuse on this side of the world is not as big, but it’s on the rise. People cannot afford crystal meth. I’ve never heard of the crystal meth issue here in Karanda.
“Maybe it’s there, but I’ve not heard of it. They take broncleer, and end there. But even those cases are usually coming from urban areas,” he said.
Karanda Mission Hospital was established in 1961 by The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) and was originally known as Gunderson-Horness Hospital.
Following Zimbabwe’s independence, the hospital was renamed Karanda Mission Hospital.
The institution was developed in response to the medical needs and healthcare challenges faced by mission stations in the Zambezi River valley. Initially, small clinics and dispensaries were established alongside churches and schools.
The construction of the hospital was aimed at supporting and strengthening these clinics.
Located in a remote area of northern Zimbabwe, near Mount Darwin, Karanda Mission Hospital serves communities across the region and is approximately 124 miles (200km) from Harare.
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