Medical Aid In Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe: The Rebirth of Tinago

Gweru — SOME say like father like son while others say a new chip comes off an old block. Legendary Zimbabwean boxer and former Commonwealth champion, Langton "Schoolboy" Tinago, retired from the square ring in 1987 but his name is still dominant in boxing.

One of the most celebrated boxers in the country, Tinago retired after 106 professional fights with 82 wins and 20 defeats.

But this did not mark an end to his involvement with the sport. While he is now frail and living in poverty in Gweru, his son has shown that boxing indeed runs in the family and is carrying the name forward.

He said he is overwhelmed by bills for his Ascot home and is living from hand to mouth despite being a celebrated sportsman. The once energetic boxer retired from gainful employment on medical grounds.

At one time, five years ago, he looked frail and walked with the aid of crutches.

"At least now I can walk without using crutches.

"I can walk to Mtapa and train the boys. I am happy the boys are doing well. Four of those boys won medals at the Zimbabwe National Youth Games held in Gwanda," said Tinago.

Schoolboy helped the Midlands Youth Games boxing team at the National Youth Games in Gwanda early this month where the boys won four medals.

Among the boxers in his stable is Breland, his son who is now 17-years-old, and promises to fulfil his father's dream of becoming a professional boxer.

Breland is Tinago's sixth born child and was one of the medal winners at the Youth Games in Gwanda.

The young Tinago won a gold medal in the lightweight while Tatenda Nyarota got another gold in the bantamweight weight category. Two other boxers from Tinago's Action Youth Stable won silver medals.

"Action Youth Stable has always produced good boxers and these four did us proud. I am happy the city fathers are considering honouring the boys for winning. This will go a long in motivating them into a successful future. "To them I say this is not the end, the future is now bright and I will not let them fall into the wrong hands but continue assisting them to prosper in their careers.

MedShare Ships Container of Medical Aid to Zimbabwe ...

On June 1, MedShare’s Western Regional Distribution Center loaded and shipped a 40-foot ocean container with medical humanitarian aid for Zimbabwe, Southern Africa.  According to a 2009 WHO report , “the situation in Zimbabwe is characterized by the ‘triple threat’ of poverty and food insecurity, weakened human and material capacity of government and high HIV/AIDS prevalence rates.  The health system is very challenged in terms of human resources for health, health financing, drugs and equipment and the overall service delay.”

Over one thousand individual boxes of medical supplies and equipment donations were loaded onto the container that shipped from MedShare today, including ambu bags, surgical blades, tracheotomy tubes, splints, IV sets, a stretcher, 2 exam tables, blood pressure monitors, and much more.  The Harare-based local NGO Spiritage Health will be receiving the container and distributing the supplies amongst several hospitals and clinics that serve the poor, including the Southmed Chitungwiza Hospital, Citimed Southmed Hospital, Citimed Suburban Hospital, and St. Michaels Hospital.

Dr. M.C. Wazara, Spiritage Health Director, comments:

Another fact is that due to the underfunding of our health sector, there is always an ongoing humanitarian crisis created by inadequate supplies, unserviceable equipment and shortage of qualified staff.  It is in these three areas that our organization works and would apply the donated resources.  You gifts will be directed towards relieving urgent situations. Our national health infrastructure has been so stretched that it will be a long time before the need for aid becomes unnecessary.