Chronicle EditorMichael Magoronga, [email protected]
KWEKWE General Hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr Patricia Mapanda, has retired after 45 years of dedicated service in the health profession.
Dr Mapanda, who celebrated her 65th birthday on June 25, joined the service in 1979 as a student nurse at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
After acquiring her BSc Nursing Administration Studies Degree at the University of Zimbabwe, she was promoted to the position of junior resident medical doctor at the same institution.
She continued with her studies until she acquired a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery in 2000 resulting in her further promotion to the position of senior resident medical doctor still at the same institution.
In 2003, she joined Kwekwe General Hospital as a Government medical officer and rose through the ranks until she became medical superintendent in 2008.
During her tenure, Dr Mapanda continued furthering her studies, acquiring a number of qualifications including Master of Science Degree in Peace – Leadership and Conflict Resolution from the Zimbabwe Open University, Certificate in MPH – Belgium, Operating Theatre Diploma, Midwifery Diploma and a host of short courses. She also played a number of crucial roles including being the Midlands Provincial HIV/Aids, Opportunistic Infections and Anti-Retroviral Therapy programmes co-ordinator and trainer, focal medical officer for HIV/Aids management and training in Midlands province and a member of the Profam Network for Reproductive Health, among other roles.
Speaking during Dr Mapanda’s farewell ceremony, Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Cde Owen Ncube, described the veteran medical practitioner as a hardworking and dedicated career civil servant who dedicated her life to save lives as guided by the Hippocratic Oath she took as a practicing nurse 45 years ago.
“Today’s event is both solemn and celebratory as we will all miss Dr Mapanda in the boardroom but you also agree with me that leaving employment on retirement is indeed an achievement as many drop along the way due to misconduct-induced dismissals,” said Minister Ncube.
He said Dr Mapanda was leaving an inspirational legacy of a character of focus, determination, confidence, self-belief, family management and transformational leadership skills.
Minister Ncube said this was supported by values of hard honest work, patriotism and commitment to her friends, relatives and workmates alike as the successful journey she traversed was full of lessons.
He urged civil servants to emulate Dr Mapanda’s commitment to duty as the successful implementation of the Second Republic’s development agenda depends largely on their loyalty and dedication.
“Dr Mapanda worked well with His Excellency the President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa during his tenure as Minister of Defence, State Security and that of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs,” said Minister Ncube.
He said Dr Mapanda did not misuse donations as what other workers do when they receive such donations.
“Dr Mapanda continued to serve her country at a time when many health workers left the country to work in the diaspora,” said Minister Ncube.
Midlands Provincial Medical Director, Dr Mary Muchekeza said the void left by Dr Mapanda will be difficult to fill.
“You are leaving behind a huge gap that will be difficult to fill, the shoes are just too big. This is why I am expressing sadness that you are leaving. You set standards that will not be easy to meet,” she said.
Among other achievements, Dr Mapanda sourced ambulances and spearheaded the construction of a 40-body mortuary. She also initiated the construction of a four-storey doctors’ residence, which is underway.
Online Reporter