Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Mutare Bureau
MEMBERS of staff at St Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Mutare, patients as well as the public were on Wednesday morning left all smiles after the medical institution received a consignment of blankets, foodstuffs, wheelchairs and beds from Health and Child Care Ambassador, First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.
Dr Mnangagwa, who, a few days ago, donated blankets and beds to all referral hospitals countrywide, noted the need to equip the Mutare medical institution last Saturday during her visit to 13-year-old kidney cancer stricken, Adrian Gurumbadza who is admitted at St Joseph’s Mission Hospital.
Thus, Dr Mnangagwa, in her donation to referral medical institutions countrywide, that covered Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare, also extended her generosity to St Joseph’s Mission Hospital and Marange Rural Hospital. The donation will ensure that patients have access to warm and comfortable bedding during their stay in hospital.
In his handover speech, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, said: “We really want to appreciate the First Lady for this donation. We all know that we have a young boy who is not feeling well and the First Lady visited him last Saturday.
“Within this short space of time, we have received the items that you pleaded for from the First Lady when she came down to visit Adrian Gurumbadza. This is awesome. It all goes to show the commitment that the First Lady has towards the welfare of us as Zimbabweans. We are lucky to have such a First Lady.
“We also have part of the consignment that we will hand over to Marange Rural Hospital, which they asked for. We appreciate her concern and care.”
Dr Tapiwa Musiyambiri, St Joseph’s Hospital Medical Superintendent, said: “This is a big task for me to thank the First Lady for this wonderful gesture. It is a big task because you run out of the proper superlatives to describe our heartfelt appreciation.
“The First Lady was here to visit Adrian Gurumbadza last Saturday, and when she came here, we felt we should take the opportunity to inform her of our needs. It is surprising much as it is gratifying that in such a short space of time, the First Lady has delivered. This is the true mark of a caring mother. We really want to thank her.”
“I also want to thank the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Mugadza for his continued guidance to us to do the right thing all the time, and in the same breath, I also want to thank the staff here at St Joseph’s Mission Hospital for doing their work diligently.”
Deputy Manicaland Provincial Medical Director, Dr Cephas Fonte said: “We want to thank the First Lady for these donations. This is not only happening here at St Joseph’s Mission Hospital. Only yesterday, at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital we received 300 beds, 600 blankets and other items of need.
“The First Lady is helping us a lot to ensure that our health service delivery here in Manicaland is effective and efficient. We really want to thank her for that.”
Sister Modesta Hwaungana, said: “I really want to thank Dr Mnangagwa for this donation. Many patients come here expecting to get everything they need. Therefore, this gesture will surely assist many people.
“We had challenges with ferrying patients in serious conditions from vehicles to the Out Patients Department, and further to other departments, but with these wheelchairs, work will be much easier. We are really thankful.”
Sister Irene Matanhire, midwife nurse at St Joseph’s Mission Hospital, said: “We are thankful. This is something that deserves to be commended by every well-meaning Zimbabwean.
“For us who work in the maternity ward, it makes our work easier and it really made me happy because apart from the excruciating labour pains, women will have a more comfortable experience in labour because they have decent bedding and blankets.”
The First Lady’s gesture under her Angel of Hope Foundation has been widely appreciated by beneficiaries, who described it as a demonstration of her dedication to supporting key institutions and promoting the welfare of those who serve the nation.
A resident of Chikanga high-density suburb, Ms Thandiwe Mashayamombe, said: “As locals, we come here seeking treatment, and in most cases we come here without anything, and this donation will ensure that patients will have a more comfortable experience irrespective of their illnesses.”
Ms Christina Mkandakanda, another resident of Chikanga, said: “We are really grateful to the First Lady for this gesture. The donation comprising blankets, food, beds and wheelchairs will go a long way in helping patients at the hospital. May God bless the First Lady and give her a long life.”
This landmark gesture, also covering the security services, complements Government’s efforts and ensures that members of the uniformed forces have access to proper bedding, a vital component of quality healthcare
Dr Mnangagwa’s initiative underscores her commitment to promoting the health and well-being of the nation in her capacity as Health and Child Care Ambassador, inspiring hope throughout Zimbabwe’s health sector
Her recent donation of major consignments of medical equipment and supplies to public hospitals further highlights her hands-on approach in addressing the real needs of patients and healthcare workers.
