A contingent of 34 medical professionals from Discovery Ambulance Services has been deployed to the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Defe Dopota shrine in Gokwe, Midlands province, to provide free medical services to thousands of congregants attending the church’s annual gathering.
The deployment, which includes a diverse mix of health and emergency specialists, is part of a wider safety and wellness plan designed to ensure that worshippers have access to immediate medical attention during the high-profile religious event. The ZCC Defe Dopota shrine traditionally attracts tens of thousands of worshippers from across Zimbabwe and beyond, making the presence of trained medical personnel a critical component of the gathering’s operations.
The 34-member team is made up of two medical doctors, two paramedics, six emergency medical technicians (EMTs), one emergency dispatcher, two firefighters, 10 ambulance technicians, and several medical assistants. They will work in shifts throughout the event, backed by fully equipped ambulances and emergency response units.
With this latest deployment, the total number of Discovery Ambulance Services personnel stationed at the shrine now stands at 40, as additional support staff were already on site from the previous weekend.
Invitation from the Church Leadership
Discovery Ambulance Services founder and chief executive officer, David Munowenyu, described the deployment as both an honour and a spiritual duty.
“We received an invitation from Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi to assist as they receive large crowds for their congregation,” Munowenyu said. “For us, it is a great privilege to serve in the house of the Lord, especially during such a significant gathering.”
The company’s involvement began before the main event, with the first team arriving last weekend to conduct basic first aid training for 150 ZCC members. The goal, Munowenyu explained, was to empower congregants with life-saving skills so they could assist medical professionals in emergencies.
Discovery Ambulance Services Deploys 34-Member Medical Team to ZCC Defe Dopota Shrine
“The idea is that they will then support our medical staff as they go about their business during the gathering,” he said. “This is in line with the national vision that, as His Excellency Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa says, we are leaving no one and no place behind.”
Part of a Broader Disaster Preparedness Strategy
Munowenyu noted that the operation at Defe Dopota was part of the company’s holiday disaster mitigation plan, which focuses on safeguarding communities during peak travel and gathering periods.
“We are also stationed on highways around the country in partnership with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe,” he said. “Together, we are running a ‘Drive Safe to Arrive Alive’ campaign, which targets both drivers and passengers, encouraging responsible travel and reducing road traffic accidents.”
The initiative has been timed to coincide with the holiday season, a period when Zimbabwe’s roads and public spaces experience heavier traffic and higher accident rates. By strategically positioning medical teams in high-risk areas, Discovery Ambulance Services aims to reduce fatalities and ensure quick emergency response times.
Collaborating with Key Stakeholders
Munowenyu emphasised that the success of the project depended on close collaboration with other stakeholders. “We are working with various entities like TelOne, NatPharm, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care,” he said. “These partnerships ensure that we have adequate medical supplies, reliable communication systems, and coordinated emergency procedures.”
NatPharm, Zimbabwe’s pharmaceutical supply arm, has been instrumental in providing essential medicines and first aid materials, while TelOne has supported the initiative with enhanced communication infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted coordination between teams on the ground.
Support for Pilgrims and the Local Community
The ZCC Defe Dopota pilgrimage is one of the largest religious gatherings in Zimbabwe, drawing members from all provinces and even neighbouring countries. The arrival of Discovery Ambulance Services has been warmly welcomed by church leaders and congregants, many of whom expressed gratitude for the free medical services.
“We have people travelling from far and wide, including elderly members and those with chronic health conditions,” said a church elder. “Having a skilled medical team on site gives us peace of mind.”
Local residents in Gokwe have also benefitted, with the medical team extending basic services to nearby communities in need. The presence of the two firefighters in the team has additionally provided a safety assurance for incidents beyond health emergencies, such as potential fire hazards or crowd safety concerns.
A Model for Event Safety
Health experts say the initiative sets an important precedent for large public gatherings in Zimbabwe, where emergency preparedness is often limited. By combining medical readiness, first aid training, and collaboration with key institutions, Discovery Ambulance Services has created a model that could be replicated for sporting events, festivals, and other mass gatherings.
As the Defe Dopota pilgrimage continues, Discovery Ambulance Services’ presence is expected to play a vital role in ensuring worshippers can focus on their spiritual activities knowing that health emergencies will be swiftly attended to.
Munowenyu summed it up simply: “Our mission is to save lives — whether on the road, in the community, or here at the shrine. Every life matters, and no one should be left behind.”
Source- newsday
