admin
Chronicle Reporter
MPILO Central Hospital of Bulawayo yesterday got a shot in the arm when it received a state-of-the-art machine from Total Zimbabwe worth about $35 000 to be used specifically by HIV positive and Hepatitis B patients. Before the donation, HIV positive and Hepatitis B patients had to travel all the way to Harare to access treatment from private hospitals.
However, HIV negative patients were having their dialysis at Mpilo.
Handing over the machine at the hospital’s Renal Unit, Total managing director Mr Chris Okonmah said his company was giving back to the community.
“We have a policy on corporate social responsibility and we are always trying to identify areas of need in our society, hence when we learnt of the plight of this unit we decided to come in and assist,” said Mr Okonmah.
“The most important thing in giving back to society is saving lives.”
He said Total took a special interest on issues to do with HIV and Aids.
“We will not stop here, we will continue to support your hospital whenever we can,” said Mr Okonmah.
The acting chief executive officer of Mpilo, Dr Wedu Ndebele, expressed gratitude to Total for the donation, which he said would go a long way in alleviating the challenges the hospital was facing.
“On behalf of Mpilo and the Bulawayo community I would like to thank you for this kind donation, we have lost a lot of patients due to inadequate facilities; your gesture is greatly appreciated,” he said.
Dr Ndebele, who is the hospital’s clinical director, challenged staff members to be responsible and keep the equipment in good condition.
Dialysis is the artificial process of eliminating waste and unwanted water from the blood.
Kidneys should do this naturally, some people, however, may have failed or damaged kidneys which cannot carry out the function properly hence need dialysis.
Online Reporter