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Prosper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
THROUGH interaction on Facebook, a group of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora and their local partners mobilised up to $10,000 and bought 1,700 blankets which they handed over to Mpilo and Ingutsheni Central Hospitals yesterday.
Canada-based Sakhile Sibanda-Kamera, 31, born in Victoria Falls and educated in Bulawayo, created the Facebook account named “Blanket Collection for Mpilo Hospital”, which to date has 1,697 members.
Sibanda-Kamera, a public nurse in Canada and her colleagues, presented the donation to Mpilo management in the presence of Zanu-PF Politburo member Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, Senator Matson Hlalo, Deputy Mayor Councillor Gift Banda and residents associations’ leaders.
In her address she said: “I was bothered by the plight of Mpilo after reading the story in the media. I based my research on the issue during my study and thought of doing something.
“I created this Facebook account, which our foreign and local partners liked. The group started with nothing but with time grew with people making pledges.”
Sibanda-Kamera said although their initial target was 1,000 blankets since Mpilo has 1,000 beds, the response was overwhelming and they managed to buy 1,700 blankets.
“The 1,000 blankets go to Mpilo and 700 for Ingutsheni. We know the economy is bad but we can do something to help the sick. Let us do something for our hospitals. Mpilo is crucial because it serves the whole of the southern region,” she said.
“We have toured the hospital and got a rude awakening. We also brought clothing for orphanages. Our next target is rehabilitating the laundry department.”
Rtd Col Dube, who represented Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa, applauded the group for taking the initiative to partner government in health care support.
“She has done what most of us have failed to do in our long lives. They came up with a solution for a problem they are not part of. These are the few that make things happen, dedicated patriots,” said Rtd Col Dube who also donated a beast to the hospital for beef during Christmas.
He said the gesture demonstrated that committed people can change their plight than sitting back and complaining with no action.
“Everyone can do something in his or her small way. This will inspire a lot of people to do more good for their communities. Let us extend help to orphanages, schools, clubs and old people’s homes. This makes a difference in our society,” said Rtd Col Dube, the chief executive officer of Zimbabwe Defence Industries.
Mpilo chief executive officer Dr Lawrence Mantiziba said the hospital was undergoing transformation given the tremendous support it was getting from the community.
“Mpilo is a moving train, moving towards restoring its former glory. Through these partnerships we grow better each day. We have crafted a donations policy to manage well the help we get and be accountable,” he said.
Dr Mantiziba also announced that renovations at the 40-bed male Ward B6 by Holiday Inn had been completed and that the ward was ready for use.
During the same occasion, the Medical Aid Society of Central Africa (Masca) also donated 10 refuse bins to the hospital.
Online Reporter