Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has embarked on a province-wide donation drive targeting health institutions in Manicaland, providing critical equipment, supplies and communication solutions aimed at improving patient care and strengthening healthcare delivery.
The initiative, implemented under the authority’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, has benefited a range of institutions, from the province’s referral hospital, Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital (VCPH), to rural and peri-urban clinics facing infrastructure and resource challenges.
At Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare, POTRAZ Deputy Director for Procurement, Mr Never Apton, standing in for Director-General, Dr Gift Machengete, handed over mattresses, blankets, food items and toiletries to the institution.
The donation followed an assessment of healthcare facilities across the province, through which POTRAZ identified priority areas requiring urgent support.
Dr Machengete said although POTRAZ’s core mandate is regulating the information and communications technology sector, the organisation remains committed to supporting communities through meaningful social interventions.
“While our mandate is regulating the ICT sector, we also have a responsibility to come into the communities we serve and assist where we can. This year, in Manicaland, we assessed the needs and received many requests from institutions across the province, but we had to prioritise some of them.
“We hope these donations will ease some of the challenges these institutions have been facing. We know this is only a small contribution, but we trust it will make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and healthcare workers,” he said.
Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Hilary Makiwa, welcomed the donation, describing it as a timely intervention that would enhance patient comfort and welfare.
“They have come in with blankets, mattresses and food products. This will go a long way in supporting our patients. POTRAZ has assisted us before with medication, and it is encouraging to see partners continuing to support the hospital,” said Dr Makiwa.
He emphasised that hospitals serve as community assets whose impact extends far beyond healthcare workers.
“A hospital is not just about the personnel who work here. It is a community project that affects people’s health and well-being in many different ways,” he said.
Dr Makiwa said the donated items would directly improve patients’ experiences during their stay at the hospital.
“The mattresses will ensure patients have a more comfortable stay, the blankets will keep them warm, and the food supplies will help improve nutrition, which is essential for recovery and overall health,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to POTRAZ for the gesture, saying such partnerships complement Government efforts to improve healthcare services nationwide.
Beyond the provincial referral hospital, POTRAZ extended its support to rural healthcare facilities, focusing on improving access to reliable electricity, communication and basic patient amenities.
At Gombe Clinic in Buhera, the authority donated a solar power system, beds and blankets, significantly enhancing conditions for both patients and healthcare workers. The solar installation has also enabled the clinic’s borehole to operate using renewable energy, ensuring a more reliable water supply.
Gombe Clinic School Development Committee chairperson, Mrs Maimbodeyi Ngonjo, said the community was grateful for the intervention.
“We are very happy with the blankets and beds we received for our wards. The solar system is also helping because our borehole is now solar-powered. This will make a big difference to the clinic and the community,” she said.
Primary Care Nurse, Sister Moila Jumho, said the solar system would address challenges previously experienced during power outages, particularly in the maternity unit.
“Previously, we had difficulties in the delivery room, especially at night during load shedding, because visibility was poor. The solar system provides a reliable backup, and we will no longer face those challenges,” she said.
The donation programme also reached Madanga Clinic in Zimunya, where POTRAZ provided a 5kVA solar system, a Starlink internet kit, blankets and mattresses.
The intervention is expected to strengthen service delivery by improving access to electricity, enhancing communication and creating a more comfortable environment for patients.
Madanga Clinic Sister-in-Charge, Sister Maybe Nyaruviro, said the solar installation had transformed the clinic’s ability to operate after dark.
“We are delighted with the solar system. We were facing serious challenges treating patients at night because we were not connected to the national electricity grid. Now we have reliable solar power,” she said.
She added that the improvements would enable the clinic to accommodate patients requiring overnight observation and continued care.
“We can now attend to patients throughout the night and accommodate those who need observation, thanks to the mattresses, blankets and solar power system,” she said.
Sister Nyaruviro also hailed the installation of the Starlink kit, saying it had significantly improved communication at the facility.
“We also received Starlink and are now communicating much more effectively. The mattresses and blankets are equally important because this is still a developing clinic and these resources will greatly assist us,” she said.
Online Reporter