Online Reporter
Midlands Bureau Chief
THE Midlands Province has commenced the distribution of food hampers to healthcare facilities and elderly care homes across the region, following the successful mobilisation of US$35 000 during the Independence Ball fundraising dinner.
Spearheaded by the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, the initiative was officially launched on Tuesday, with the first phase targeting district rural hospitals and Gweru Provincial Hospital.
Minister Ncube handed over 110 bags of mealie-meal, cooking oil, sugar, soap, and salt to Kana, Driefontein, Mnene, and Zhombe Mission Hospitals, as well as Zvamavande and Chikwingwizha clinics and Gweru Provincial Hospital.
The donation aligns with the Second Republic’s development mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the Government Complex in Gweru, Minister Ncube noted that the event has become a permanent fixture on the provincial calendar.
“This fulfils the firm commitment we made on 11 April during the Midlands Provincial Independence Ball held at Village Lodge, Gweru, that donations in cash and kind raised at the charity dinner would benefit disadvantaged members of our community,” he said.
These include orphanages, old people’s homes, the elderly, prisons, and healthcare institutions.
Minister Ncube praised the Midlands community for their generous contributions, which support the Second Republic’s social protection programmes such as the Assisted Medical Treatment Orders, Harmonised Social Cash Transfer, Food Deficit Mitigation, and the School Feeding Programme.
He also commended the province’s collective effort in successfully hosting the 2025 National Independence Celebrations in Nembudziya, Gokwe North, encouraging the same spirit to drive national innovation and industrialisation in pursuit of Vision 2030.
Minister Ncube highlighted the Government’s continued investment in transforming health service delivery under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), citing several ongoing infrastructure projects.
These include the establishment of nursing schools in remote districts such as Gokwe, the construction of modern mini-hospitals like Stoneridge (Harare), Cowdray Park (Bulawayo), Mataga Hospital (Mberengwa), and Runyararo Health Centre (Chimanimani), as well as the provision of ambulances, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment including dialysis, cancer screening, and treatment machines.
Other notable developments in the Midlands include devolution-funded clinics such as Impali Clinic (Vungu), Mapfungautsi Poly-Clinic (Gokwe South), Tongogara Poly-Clinic (Shurugwi), and Hwata and Chimbindi clinics (Chirumhanzu).
Minister Ncube also expressed appreciation for First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s transformative philanthropic work, which complements Government efforts. Her initiatives include sourcing medical equipment from countries such as Australia and Belarus, establishing waiting mothers’ shelters, and supporting the rehabilitation of vulnerable groups.
The Provincial Medical Director for Midlands, Dr Mary Muchekeza, expressed gratitude to the Second Republic for prioritising rural health facilities.
“This thoughtful gesture has brought immense joy and relief to the healthcare sector, particularly in rural areas. The donation will undoubtedly go a long way in enhancing the capacity of rural hospitals to provide quality healthcare to their communities,” she said.
Dr Muchekeza added that Minister Ncube’s gesture aligns with the Government’s commitment to ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare for all citizens.
