Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Mutare Bureau
VICTORIA Chitepo Provincial Hospital, the main referral hospital for Manicaland, has received a donation of medical equipment valued at approximately US$62,000 from Zimbabwean doctors based in Australia.
The handover, which was facilitated by Celebration Health and Higherlife Foundation, took place at the hospital yesterday.
In an interview, the hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr Hilary Makiwa, welcomed the donation, noting its significance in patient care.
“We are very glad to receive this support. There is a lot of equipment here that will go a long way in assisting the province and the hospital. “We provide many specialist services and having additional equipment will make service delivery much easier.
“We hope to continue receiving such support from the Ministry of Health and our partners,” he said.
Dr Makiwa added:
“Having extra beds, wheelchairs, fridges, and IV equipment means our staff can respond more quickly to patients’ needs.
“It reduces the time we spend moving limited resources from one department to another and allows us to focus fully on care.”
He also highlighted the benefits for both staff and patients.
“Our nurses and doctors now have the tools they need to perform their duties more efficiently.
“Patients will experience shorter waiting times and more comfortable care.
“These supplies are not just items, they are instruments that allow us to save lives and improve the overall health outcomes in Manicaland,” he said.
Dr Makiwa said the hospital values partnerships with diaspora professionals and philanthropic organisations.
“This donation demonstrates what collaboration can achieve. We are grateful to all the doctors, organisations, and local partners who made this possible.
“It strengthens our hospital, supports our team, and ultimately ensures the people of this province receive quality healthcare,” he said.
His counterpart, Matron Rachel Magutsa, echoed Dr Makiwa’s remarks, emphasising the importance of the supplies for improving hospital operations.
“We have been facing challenges with equipment, and this donation will go a long way in supporting patient care.
“We are truly grateful to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Celebration Health, and Higherlife Foundation for this contribution,” she said.
Matron Magutsa said the new equipment will improve the day-to-day running of wards and enhance patient comfort.
“Items such as beds and wheelchairs will help us move and care for patients more safely and efficiently.
“It also reduces the strain on our staff, who have been working hard to ensure that services continue smoothly,” she said.
organisations, highlighting how international collaboration can strengthen healthcare delivery in Zimbabwe.
She said the donation reflects the power of collaboration.
“With the additional equipment, Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital is expected to expand its capacity to provide quality care to patients across Manicaland. This container is from a collective of organisations that came together, including Zimbabwean doctors in Australia, Higherlife Foundation, and Celebration Health itself. We are working alongside the Ministry of Health to help meet the needs of communities. This container includes medical supplies, wheelchairs, beds, fridges, IV equipment, and first-response materials valued at US$62 000,” she said.
Mathew Masinge