Mimosa refurbishes Mpilo

Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
HEALTH and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa recently officiated at the handover ceremony of projects that were funded by Mimosa Mining Company at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo.The mining company refurbished the B1 ward, painted, decorated corridors and refurbished ablution facilities in the maternity ward.

The Zvishavane-based mining company also decommissioned the old power ring main unit switch gear for the hospital main substation and commissioned a modern one.

It also replaced distribution boards at the boiler and nurses’ home.

Speaking before the handover ceremony, Dr Parirenyatwa commended Mimosa for the gesture, saying it would enable the hospital to serve patients better.

“Mpilo serves as a referral hospital not only for Makokoba and Mzilikazi, which are closest, but covers the whole of Bulawayo and the entire southern region. So when this hospital improves the quality of service, a greater part of Zimbabwe enjoys better health services.

“We’re therefore glad today to have refurbished wards and got the new equipment and we’re hoping to have the refurbishment of more wards since our hospital is quite old,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

The minister lamented the economic challenges affecting the country. He said more health personnel were required to improve the health sector.

“The country, however, continues to face challenges economically owing to the sanctions that were imposed on us. We still need more nurses, more specialists, specialised equipment for the ever growing number of renal and cancer patients. But with partners like Mimosa we shouldn’t despair, we’ll get there,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

“Zimbabwe has continued to work on many negatives culminating in the reduction of maternal mortality, infant mortality, HIV and Aids prevalence and we’ve strengthened the fight against tuberculosis.

“I’m glad to say that this hospital has benefited from the Chinese $100,000 loan facility and has new medical equipment. Some of the equipment is going through the commissioning process and soon cancer patients will not need to travel to Harare or elsewhere.”.

He said it was the responsibility of corporate, civic and church organisations and individuals to leave a legacy of excellence in health delivery.

Mimosa executive chairperson Winston Chitando said the Mpilo projects were part of the company’s national corporate social responsibility projects in the health sector.

“Working with Mpilo has been an absolute joy. As one of our star corporate social responsibility initiatives, the work done here demonstrates our brand essence that is centred upon the need to build mutually beneficial relations with our communities.

“As a member of the mining community, we’re cognisant of the government’s call for public private sector partnerships. We also take serious note of our requirement to work in ways that add value to our minerals, beneficiate them and be drivers of economic empowerment,” said Chitando.

The Permanent Secretary in the Mines and Mining Development Ministry Professor Francis Gudyanga, senior government officials, chiefs from Zvishavane, Mpilo Central Hospital Board members and senior officials and members of staff as well as senior officials from other hospitals attended the event.