IT’S 40 NOT OUT FOR CHITOWN HOSPITAL

Elshemaiah Mazarura

CHITUNGWIZA Central Hospital is celebrating its 40th anniversary on a milestone that highlights its commitment to providing quality health care service.

As part of the planned commemorations, a fundraising dinner will be held on November 24, to raise money towards the construction of a new maternity wing, and the enhancement of other services, at the hospital.

“We are going to host a dinner dance at Cresta Lodge on December 12 as a part of our planned celebrations.

“We will extend invitations to schools, the business community, Government departments, the media and sister institutions to join us as we celebrate this landmark milestone in the life of the hospital.

“We expect guests to make donations in cash or kind to enable us to fulfil our desires regarding the improvement of service delivery,” said Dr Audrey Tasaranarwo, who is the Public Relations Officer of the hospital.

Dr Tasaranarwo said the hospital’s catchment area has expanded from serving just the Chitungwiza population to also catering for patients from outside the town.

“Initially, we were designed to cater for a smaller population, but we now serve the whole of Mashonaland and beyond, with patients travelling from as far as Bulawayo for treatment and outreach programmes.

“Our catchment area has expanded significantly,’’ she said.

Chief among the problems the hospital has faced are inadequate water supply and power cuts.

To address these challenges, the hospital has drilled boreholes and installed generators.

However, as a large establishment, it often depends on the support of the community with musicians such as Alick Macheso and Baba Machanic Manyeruke regularly coming on board to do musical fundraising shows.

The two artists are also expected to stage beneficiary shows at the Aquatic Complex in May next year.

Dr Tasaranarwo said they will publish a magazine highlighting the CCH story and its achievements.

The institution was officially opened in 1984 and has grown from a small hospital to being accorded central hospital status in September 2005.

This year the hospital won the first prize in the Best Service Provider category at the National Annual Quality Awards.