First Lady donates blankets to Bindura Hospital

Fungai Lupande-Mashonaland Central Bureau

BINDURA Provincial Hospital, which had been struggling with linen shortages during laundry days, received a major boost after the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, donated a consignment of blankets as part of her ongoing national hospital support programme.

The donation is part of Dr Mnangagwa’s nationwide initiative to supply all central and provincial hospitals with warm bedding, ensuring that no patient goes without proper coverage.

As the country’s Health and Child Care Ambassador, Dr Mnangagwa has been spearheading numerous health-related initiatives through her Angel of Hope Foundation.

These include cancer screening, cervical health awareness, nutritional education, and the fight against drug and substance abuse.

The consignment of blankets came at a critical time when the provincial referral hospital was operating under strain due to linen shortages.

Provincial medical director, Dr Clemence Tshuma, said the donation would greatly enhance patient comfort and improve service delivery.

“This donation has come at the right time. At one point, the hospital was left with no blankets when linen was sent for laundry,” said Dr Tshuma.

“This gesture has restored our confidence and ensured that our patients will be comfortable throughout their stay.

“Each bed is supposed to have at least five blankets, and at times we fell short. The blankets donated by the First Lady will ensure that every patient is properly covered.”

He added that the hospital’s ability to maintain hygiene and comfort for patients would now be strengthened.

“We are very grateful to the First Lady for her continued compassion and her practical approach to improving healthcare.

“She is a mother who listens, and her interventions always respond to real needs on the ground,” he said.

Dr Tshuma noted that this was not an isolated act of charity but part of the First Lady’s sustained support for the health sector.

“This is not the first time we are receiving assistance from the First Lady. It is actually the fourth time she has come to our aid,” he said.

“She supported the establishment of our High Dependency Unit by donating ICU beds, provided rice for patients, and this is the second consignment of blankets she has given us.”

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Christopher Magomo, described the First Lady’s gesture as a reflection of her motherly compassion and her philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind.

“Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa continues to demonstrate that true leadership is about service and compassion. She leads by example, ensuring that every citizen, especially the vulnerable, has access to dignified healthcare,” said Minister Magomo.

Through her ‘Leaving No One and No Place Behind’ outreach programme, the First Lady has also provided free medical services, health education, and the promotion of traditional foods to remote communities.

“Her Excellency’s compassion continues to touch lives and motivate us all to serve with dedication,” added Minister Magomo.

“These blankets represent warmth, comfort, and hope to patients who are often in pain and distress.”

Minister Magomo expressed optimism that ongoing projects, such as the Masembura Pipeline Joint Venture, which will channel water from Masembura Dam to Bindura, would soon alleviate the hospital’s water supply challenges.

During the handover ceremony, Bindura Hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr Batsirai Gwagwa, briefed the provincial leadership on the institution’s progress and challenges.

Bindura Provincial Hospital serves as a provincial, district and primary care facility, with a staff complement of over 500, a bed capacity of 250, and a wide catchment area covering Bindura urban and surrounding rural communities.

Dr Gwagwa said the hospital had made notable strides in improving health infrastructure, including the establishment of a six-bed High Dependency Unit, refurbishment of its incinerator for proper waste management, and expansion of the mortuary from four to 15 bodies.

He also revealed that about 42 hectares of land had been allocated near Chanaka for the construction of a new, modern provincial hospital.

“We are now looking forward to securing funding so that we can start construction. The new hospital will ease congestion and allow for better service delivery to the people of Mashonaland Central,” he said.

Hospital staff who attended the handover ceremony applauded the First Lady’s commitment and pledged to ensure proper use and safekeeping of the donated blankets.

The donation is part of the First Lady’s broader programme to provide linen and other essentials to public health institutions nationwide, complementing the Presidential Hospital Infrastructure Renewal Programme, which aims to modernise healthcare facilities across Zimbabwe.