Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa [email protected]
HEALTH and Child Care Ambassador First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has fulfilled her pledge to support Zimbabwe’s first private nursing training institution with essential equipment and supplies, barely two days after making the commitment.
The First Lady donated nursing training equipment, hospital beds, medical accessories, sanitary wear and an assortment of food supplies to the Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa School of Nursing in Kadoma.
The donation is set to strengthen practical training and improve the learning environment for the institution’s pioneer intake of student nurses drawn from the country’s 10 provinces.
Dr Mnangagwa made the pledge on Monday when she officially opened the institution, with scores of people gathering to witness the grand opening of Zimbabwe’s first-ever private nurses’ training institution established by Mr Jimayi Muduvuri.
Her swift fulfilment of the pledge has given the newly established school a significant boost as it begins training nurses guided by professionalism, compassion, dignity and the values of Ubuntu.
Through the Angel of Hope Foundation, Dr Mnangagwa has complemented efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery nationwide by providing medical equipment, essential supplies and other support to health institutions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, Dr Mnangagwa described nurses as the backbone of Zimbabwe’s healthcare system and praised their dedication to saving lives and providing quality patient care.
Passionate about strengthening the country’s healthcare system, the First Lady stressed the importance of well-trained and compassionate health personnel in delivering quality healthcare.
Receiving the consignment on Wednesday, Mr Muduvuri said he was overwhelmed by the First Lady’s gesture and expressed gratitude for fulfilling her pledge at the institution’s formative stage.
He said the equipment and supplies would enhance students’ practical training and learning experience.
“When the First Lady came here, she told me that, with the work I was doing, she would support me because she is deeply passionate about the healthcare of the country. Today, a lorry arrived full of donations, including beds, groceries and other essentials.
“I am overwhelmed with joy because I never expected it so soon. The beds are particularly important because our students will now have decent sleeping facilities,” he said.
Mr Muduvuri added:“What she promised during the opening barely two days ago, she has honoured. I named this school after her because I wanted to honour her, and I hope I will not disappoint those whose names I have chosen to honour.”
School principal Ms Peggy Dube thanked Dr Mnangagwa for the support, saying it had come at a crucial stage in the institution’s development.
“We are really excited that when the First Lady came, she promised to support us, and she has fulfilled that promise. The support has come in the form of new beds, which will improve the comfort of our students in residence.
“We want them to have a good rest so that they are well prepared to take up their duties. She also supported us with training equipment, sanitary wear and food items, which will bring variety to their meals.
“If they are well taken care of, they are happy and able to concentrate on their studies,” she said.
The pioneer students, drawn from all 10 provinces, also welcomed the donation, saying it would provide them with essential resources for their studies.
Student nurse Natalie Chimuti thanked the First Lady for fulfilling her pledge to support the institution.
“I want to thank our First Lady. She promised to support us and she has fulfilled that promise by providing beds, food and an assortment of other items. As students, this support gives us the essentials we need to learn comfortably. She has encouraged us to work hard, and we promise to be good students and make our nation proud,” she said.
Lorraine Rakhupa, from Matabeleland South, said the students were determined to justify the First Lady’s confidence in them.
“We cannot thank you enough, our First Lady. Because of your support, we have started learning in a decent environment. We are not going to let you down. When you opened the school, you told us that we should uphold good values and lead by example. You also understand that we need to eat well, and we are grateful for everything you have done for us,” she said.
Nyasha Nyahoko said the students would uphold the values taught by the First Lady and work hard to become competent nurses.
“We will do everything we can to uphold the values our First Lady has taught us. The training equipment we received will help us become good nurses. I thank her for such a wonderful initiative. She has put her trust in us, and we promise to do our best and make her proud,” she said.
Bright Tagara, from Magunje, also said the First Lady had lived up to her word by ensuring students had decent learning facilities.
“I just want to thank our First Lady. You have lived up to your own words and supported us with what we need. You taught us to be well behaved, and now we have beds where we can sleep comfortably. We really appreciate your support,” he said.
Ntando Ncube, from Matabeleland North, said the First Lady’s passion was to see the students succeed and become well-trained medical professionals.
“She wants us to have enough food so that we do not struggle to attend school. Her wish is for us to be well-trained nurses, and I promise to do my best in the profession,” she said.
The Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa School of Nursing is Zimbabwe’s first private nursing training institution, marking the entry of private-sector investment into the expansion of opportunities for nurse training.
The institution was named after Dr Mnangagwa in recognition of her advocacy for quality healthcare and her work supporting communities through various humanitarian initiatives.
Mr Muduvuri said he was motivated to establish the facility as a gesture of gratitude to the First Family following the support he received when he was at risk of losing his legs through amputation.
He said the compassionate President and First Lady stood by him during that difficult period, enabling him to establish health institutions across the country and shaping his journey in the health sector.
Through her Angel of Hope Foundation, the First Lady has supported healthcare institutions with medical equipment, supplies and other forms of assistance.
As Health and Child Care Ambassador, she has also championed initiatives promoting maternal health, cancer awareness, nutrition and access to healthcare services.
Her support for the nursing school extends this work into the training of health personnel, helping create an environment where future nurses can acquire practical skills while receiving support to complete their studies.
The gesture also reflects her continued concern for the welfare of health workers and the strengthening of Zimbabwe’s healthcare system, from supporting health institutions to encouraging the training of the next generation of nurses.
