The recent partnership between the Zimbabwe Mining Federation’s FS Mining wing and Discovery Ambulance Services is set to help address the high prevalence of STIs among small-scale miners, the ZMF says.
By Ryan Chigoche
STIs, including gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, and trichomoniasis, are widespread in Zimbabwe’s mining sector due to factors such as frequent migration, limited healthcare access, high-risk sexual behaviour, and the presence of sex work in mining communities.
Although Zimbabwe has made significant progress in reducing STI and HIV cases over the past decade, recent reports indicate a resurgence of infections in some informal mining areas.
Given that mining communities, both formal and informal, have long been regarded as hotspots for STI transmission due to their transient nature and inadequate healthcare infrastructure, the need for intervention has become more pressing.
Recognizing this challenge, ZMF president Henrietta Rushwaya highlighted the importance of the partnership at its official launch, emphasizing its significance given the recent move by the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).
“With the US withdrawing from WHO, one of its biggest funders, African countries now need to come up with a Plan B. This partnership between Discovery Ambulance Services and the Zimbabwe Miners Federation, through its special purpose vehicle, FS Mining, will play a crucial role in bridging the funding gap that is now being created by the lack of support from international donors. The coming in of Discovery Services to our midst, especially in the small-scale mining sector, will go a long way in minimizing the spread of STIs, especially amongst our SSM who live far away from medical facilities.”
To complement emergency response efforts, the initiative will introduce medical outreach programs in mining areas, offering STI testing and treatment, as well as care for other prevalent diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. This is particularly important as many artisanal miners and host communities in remote areas face significant barriers to healthcare.
Often, these miners delay seeking treatment, fail to follow through on medical referrals, and resort to traditional remedies due to affordability and accessibility challenges. Additionally, the highly mobile nature of small-scale miners makes public health interventions difficult to implement, exacerbating the spread of STIs and other diseases.
A major factor contributing to these challenges is the distance to healthcare facilities. Miners often travel between six and 30 kilometres to access medical care, which discourages timely treatment. By bringing healthcare services closer to mining communities, the partnership aims to bridge this gap and improve overall health outcomes in the sector.
Ultimately, the collaboration between ZMF and Discovery Ambulance Services represents a proactive step in addressing healthcare challenges in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
By prioritizing accessibility and education, the initiative seeks to not only curb the spread of STIs but also promote long-term health and well-being for small-scale miners and their communities.