Chronicle Editor
Yvonne Ncube, Chronicle Reporter
Ekusileni Medical Centre, a brainchild of the late Vice-President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, has so far admitted 35 Covid-19 patients since reopening in June.
After repeated false starts, the health centre eventually opened its doors to the public on July 26 and welcomed two patients on the day for the first time in 17 years.
The revival of Ekusileni, which is intended to ease congestion in other medical facilities in the city, is in line with the country’s Vision 2030, which aims to improve health care and improve people’s lives.
Speaking at a ceremony to receive donations to the health centre by various donors, the institution’s chief executive officer, Dr Absalom Dube said they have admitted 35 patients since reopening.
“Since we successfully admitted our first patients on 26 July, we have admitted 35 more cumulative Covid-19 patients. Unfortunately, one died at home without the assistance of the oxygen therapy that we offered them. We appeal to be capacitated to admit more patients than our initial bed limit of 15. We have had scenarios where we admitted patients more than what our bed capacity limits us to. This strained our staff but we managed,” he said.
Dr Dube said the facility owes so much to donors in terms of its day-to-day running. He said since the institution’s reopening, donors have been coming with assistance to capacitate the centre and ensure that patients are well fed.“We are grateful to various donors who have continued supporting and capacitating the hospital with groceries and other tangible equipment. These products have assisted a lot in the day-to-day running of the institution. We commend such members of society. Even the little things are enough, they become helpful, nothing is small,” said Dr Dube.
He applauded the 14 donors and others who were not present for showing endless support to the hospital. Among the people and organisations that donated were Colonel (Retired) Tshinga Dube, Fortwell Wholesalers, Belmont Meats, United Refineries Limited, National Foods, STM Pharmaceuticals, Baker’s Inn, Innscor, Willsgrove, Tees pharmacy, Latter-Day Saints, Providence, Irvine’s and Pro-brands.
“We would like to applaud IAm4Byo fighting Covid-19 initiative for mobilising donors who have donated food, property and utensils worth over $10 million. Fortwell Wholesalers has donated groceries worth $35 735; Belmont Meats has donated sausages and chicken for patients worth $125 552; Rtd Col Tshinga Dube has donated two beasts; URL groceries donated groceries worth $23 000; National Foods donated groceries; STM pharmaceuticals donated kitchen utensils and branded bins,” he said.
“Our independent donors include Bakers Inn which has been donating 120 loaves of bread a week for a period of four weeks; Providence donated kitchen utensils and equipment worth $76 000; Irvine’s donated 60 dozens of eggs worth $10 387; Pro-brands 24 by 500 grams butter; Willsgrove donated vegetables worth $40 975; Tees pharmacy has donated $3 000 and Latter-Day Saints has donated groceries.”
Dr Dube said he was humbled that the institution is playing a role in easing pressure on other health facilities in the city. Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Cde Judith Ncube, in acknowledging the donations, applauded stakeholders for assisting Government by contributing to the development of the country.
She encouraged community members to play a part in elevating local institutions. She applauded the IAm4Byo fighting Covid-19 initiative for its role in the re-opening of Ekusileni and the fight against Covid-19.
“I am happy to be receiving donations on behalf of Ekusileni, I am grateful for the support that has been given to the hospital since last year when Cabinet agreed that Ekusileni should operate as a Covid-19 isolation centre. The operationalisation of the hospital shows Government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of the citizenry not just for Covid-19 but also for possible future epidemics.
“On behalf of his Excellency, the President, the people of Bulawayo and on my own behalf I would like to express gratitude to the corporates and individuals who quickly mobilised and donated resources in cash and in kind to Ekusileni hospital since it opened its doors for Covid-19 patients. Thank you for your steadfast support, generosity and for making a difference to so many,” said Cde Ncube. She urged members of the public to continue observing Covid-19 protocols.
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