Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Herald Reporter
FIRST Lady and Health Ambassador Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has secured a major consignment of vital medical supplies, equipment and consumables from international partners, providing a timely boost to the country’s public health sector.
As the country’s Health Ambassador, Dr Mnangagwa consistently plays a pivotal role in complementing Government efforts to strengthen Zimbabwe’s health sector in order to provide quality, affordable and accessible health services.
The latest initiative is a milestone that not only saves lives but also uplifts the morale of frontline medical staff, who now have the appropriate tools and protective clothing.
Dr Mnangagwa’s Angel of Hope Foundation sourced the shipment from like minded philanthropic partners and organisations in Australia, including hospital equipment, protective clothing, surgical tools and diagnostic kits, all aimed at strengthening healthcare service delivery across the country. Distribution of the medical supplies, equipment and consumables has already begun nationwide, with Parirenyatwa Hospital receiving 990 bed blankets, 1 200 surgical uniforms, and many other essential supplies. Sally Mugabe, Victoria Chitepo, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, United Bulawayo Hospital, Mpilo, Masvingo and Chinhoyi Provincial Hospitals, along with referral clinics, are among the first to benefit.
Delivery of several more consignments is expected in batches soon, signalling a sustained intervention aimed at revitalising the country’s health sector, a huge relief to public health institutions.
Part of the supplies includes resuscitators with Neopuff, colostomy bags, patient circuits for the Intensive Care Unit, syringe pumps, stool specimen collectors, digital thermometers, specimen jars, mattresses, surgeons’ scrubs for theatre and diathermy pencils.
Other items include Zimmer frames with wheels, walking sticks, patient transfer bags, vaginal specula, sanitisers, paediatric items, specimen jars, knee support boots, blood collection tubes, surgical gowns and face masks, bed sheets, counterpanes, wrist splints, linen servers, syringes, needles and a lot more.
Among the beneficiaries receiving medical supplies, equipment and consumables, a Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals official, Sister Benenia Muzuva, who was among the dispatching team, hailed Dr Mnangagwa for the timely intervention.
“I am equally overjoyed by this gesture from our Health Ambassador, who has assured us that this is just the beginning, with more supplies on the way.
“Our First Lady has taken a holistic approach to addressing the healthcare sector, which I believe is a commendable move. The medical supplies will benefit several hospitals, starting with seven, including referral clinics. The supplies will cater to all departments, such as theatres, orthopaedics, maternity, neonatal resuscitation and the Intensive Care Unit.”
Sally Mugabe Central Hospital official, Elizabeth Tsvanhu, expressed profound gratitude to the First Lady for the generous donation.
“Words are not enough to thank our Health Ambassador, Dr Mnangagwa, for her deep concern for our welfare at the hospital. We will be forever grateful for these life-saving gifts, which will benefit all departments within our institution.
“If you consider items such as linen and mattresses, these were in extremely short supply, and she has helped to fill that critical gap.
“There is also machinery that will make the work of our staff much easier. We hope that her kind gesture continues,” she said.
An official from Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare, Mr Godfrey Maphosa, who received the supplies on behalf of the institution, also praised the First Lady for continuing to be a beacon of hope to the nation.
“We are sincerely grateful to our First Lady for providing us with these items, which will go a long way in improving services at our health institution,” he said.
The supplies are being mobilised through partnerships with like minded philanthropic organisations, international medical institutions and Zimbabwean professionals in the diaspora, all rallied through the First Lady’s consistent efforts to support public health.
Dr Mnangagwa’s initiatives are people-centred, impactful and sustainable, having over the years spearheaded the mobilisation and distribution of essential medical supplies, equipment and consumables to public hospitals and clinics across the country.
These donations have strengthened departments such as maternity, theatres, neonatal resuscitation units and intensive care.
Dr Mnangagwa has engaged international partners and diaspora networks to support Zimbabwe’s health sector through technical assistance, training of health professionals and the provision of modern medical equipment.
Last year, the passionate Health Ambassador received a state-of-the-art mobile hospital from President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus in recognition of her philanthropic work and efforts to ensure that people, especially those in hard-to-reach areas, have access to quality and affordable healthcare services.
The top-notch mobile hospital has facilitated early detection of cancer and treatment of various ailments for thousands of people from the country’s provinces.
Through her Angel of Hope Foundation, the First Lady is leading countrywide cancer awareness campaigns, encouraging early screening for cervical and breast cancer.
Her mobile outreach programmes have taken screening services to remote and rural areas, saving lives and promoting preventative healthcare.
Dr Mnangagwa also regularly conducts free medical outreach events in underserved communities, providing services such as general check-ups, dental care, eye screening and paediatric care.
These initiatives bridge the gap in access to basic health services, especially for rural populations.
The Health Ambassador has initiated discussions and interventions around mental health, a topic often neglected in society.
Dr Mnangagwa promotes awareness, counselling support and community healing sessions, especially in post-trauma or disaster-affected regions.
A strong advocate for maternal and child welfare, Dr Mnangagwa’s programmes focus on safe motherhood, nutrition, immunisation and access to antenatal care.
The First Lady promotes respectful maternity care and supports the training of midwives and community health workers.
