Sable Chemicals hands over refurbished ward to hospital

Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
FERTILISER manufacturer, Sable Chemical Industries on Friday handed over a children and maternity ward to Kwekwe District Hospital after completing refurbishing it at a cost of $300 000.

The renovations have been going on since 2012 after the company entered into a mutual agreement with the hospital which saw the ward being adopted by the fertiliser giant before giving it a major facelift. The private ward with a capacity of accommodating 24 children as well as a maternity ward with a carrying capacity of six mothers received beds, bath tubs, sinks, furniture and other necessary equipment. The wing was tiled, ceiling repaired and also painted.

Sable Chemicals Human Resources Manager Mr Zvishamiso Musvipa said the ward, painted in the company’s corporate colours, would begin operations this month.

“We expect operations to begin this month. We will closely monitor how they conduct their operations as we seek to protect our corporate image. The ward is painted in our colours so we should also monitor in case our reputation and image be tarnished,” he said.

Mr Musvipa said funds raised from the ward would be channelled towards refurbishment of other general wards.

“This is to strengthen revenue generation to improve standards of the general wards. In liaison with the hospital board, we adopted the ward and we agreed that after the refurbishment of the children’s ward, they will use the money from the private ward to renovate other general wards,” said Mr Musvipa.

He said the Zimbabwe National Army was involved in the first phase of the renovations where they provided the technical expertise. He said the gesture was a way of giving back to the community.

“We have been in operation since 1969 and this is one best way of giving back to the community. We hope the public will like it and appreciate the way we have given back to them for their continued support,” said Mr Musvipa.

Kwekwe District Hospital administrator Mr Tinashe Mukonori showered praises on Sable Chemicals for the gesture saying the refurbishments had been long overdue.

“We are thankful to the company. The gesture opened flood gates as other corporates also came in for engagements. We have had more companies coming in for the same arrangement after Sable. Zimasco also came in. So we have a fruitful working relationship with local companies,” he said.