RECENT developments in Hwange concerning the much talked about human-wildlife conflict has resulted in Yours Trully somehow digressing from this week's instalment that was meant to continue on lethal smog along the so called Old Bulawayo -Vic Falls road situated in Hwange.
To the uninitiated, last week's article mainly covered the story about dust and noise pollution currently being experienced by residents living along the above mentioned road who of late, have castigated local mining investors for not playing ball in terms of dust suppression among other related matters.
It has emerged tthat some residents have for the umpteenth time taken upon themselves to grab the legendary bulls by their horns in trying to come up with a lasting solution to this 'perennial' pulmonary health hazard.
However, as earlier mentioned, Yours Truly has been 'forced' to slightly digress following reports that some individuals in the local Hwange community have joined hands in sourcing medical funds to assist a woman who was recently trampled by a rowdy elephant.
An average of US$800 is urgently needed and was mainly meant for ambulance services for the patient to be transferred to one of the major hospitals in Bulawayo for specialist treatment.
This sad incident happened on August 12 in Makwika high density suburb, popularly known as Number 3, which is adjacent to Sinamatella Camp where a 42-year-old housewife (name withheld) was seriously injured by a jumbo.
Sinamatella Camp or national park is a subsidiary of Hwange national park and is situated on the northern boundary of the latter.
Ironically, Makwika is located within a hunting area and is home to various wild animals that occasionally stray into residential areas much to the chagrin of local residents.
It could not be established at the time of writing this article as to how this lady came in close contact with the elephants as they are considered among the most dangerous animals.
The lady was immediately rushed to St Patrick's Hospital in Hwange and due to the severity of the injuries, medical personnel at the heálth institution advised the family on the urgent need to transfer the patient to one of Bulawayo's major referral hospitals.
However, the predicament was on raising the much needed amount meant for ambulance services to transport the injured patient for specialist attention while on the other hand the situation was getting tauter and tauter without any tangible solution on sight.
Ambulances from adjacent health institutions were reported to be having fuel challenges, hence could not offer the much needed service.
Some residents of Hwange Colliery's Ward 7 and 15 took it upon themselves to try and contribute through mobile money transfers in an effort to raise the much needed ambulance fees to transport the injured lady to one of Bulawayo's major referral hospitals.
Ward 7 is composed of residents living around the eastérn and western side of Hwange central business district while Ward 15 mainly comprises Makwika residential area.
However, in less than three hours the above wards had managed to raise about half of the amount needed for the ambulance services and Hwange Rural District Council offered their ambulance and an affordable payment plan.
Other organisations later pledged to assist in cash and kind towards this predicament as part of their corporate social responsibility.
At the time of writing this column the lady and his accompanying husband had safely arrived in Bulawayo where she was said to be receiving specialist treatment courtesy of mobile transfer 'crowd funding' initiated by these two particular wards.
Someone asked Yours Truly the whereabouts and purpose of the human-wildlife conflict fund.
Care to assist?
Till we meet again in the next column.
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