Seasoned nurse helps deliver over 10 000 babies at Mpilo

IN the bustling second capital of Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, at Thokozani Flats in Mzilikazi suburb, resides a remarkable woman whose unwavering commitment to her profession has left an indelible mark on the lives of thousands.

Sister Margaret Makumbe, a seasoned nurse with over four decades of experience, dedicated her life to bringing new life into the world. Having delivered 10 000 babies during her tenure at Mpilo Central Hospital, she stands as a testament to the profound impact of midwifery and the enduring power of compassion.

Sister Makumbe’s journey began in 1967 when she was engaged as a nurse at St Luke’s Hospital in Lupane, Matabeleland North province. She was 24. However, her introduction to the world of nursing was marred by the ill-treatment of black nurses by the hospital’s white management.

Recounting those early days, Sister Makumbe reveals the challenges she faced.
“Maybe it’s because to me nursing was a calling, otherwise I could have left this profession due to the treatment I experienced at the hands of St Luke’s Hospital management.

Like any hospital, they are deaths that occur and by then communication was not as easy as now and as such it was difficult to contact the police in Lupane when a patient died,” she said.
Within the walls of St Luke’s Hospital, Sister Makumbe witnessed the grim reality of inadequate resources, which compromised the dignity and respect of the dead.

“There was a small mortuary using a diesel-powered engine but most of the time it was not functioning,” she said.
Sister Makumbe recounts the heartbreaking necessity of burying unclaimed bodies, a duty assigned to the nurses themselves.

She said the experience was still haunting her.
“To avoid having decomposed bodies, the white management resolved to bury uncollected bodies and this job was assigned to us, nurses.

Remember back then, our profession was mainly for women and at the hospital we only had one male employee whose duty was just to ring the bell. The nurses had to dig for and bury the uncollected bodies. The bodies were be wrapped in those old khaki sugar bags, it was horrible,” said Sister Makumbe.

The undignified treatment of the deceased fuelled Sister Makumbe’s determination to find a more fulfilling and compassionate environment to pursue her noble career.

Sister Makumbe’s resolve reached its tipping point, compelling her to seek a new beginning at all costs. She made a bold decision that would forever change the trajectory of her career. After sneaking out of the nurses’ quarters during her brief respite, Sister Makumbe travelled to Bulawayo where she set her sights on Mpilo Central Hospital.

Her prayers were answered as she was offered a position to start work the following year. Overwhelmed with joy, she eagerly embraced the new chapter in her life.

“I got to Bulawayo, went to Mpilo Central Hospital on the next day and thanks to God’s grace I got the job. They said I should report for duty on January 1 the following year. I was so happy starting a new job in a new year.”
Sister Makumbe started as a nurse in the general ward but her destiny lay elsewhere.

“I was deployed to the general ward until my transfer to the maternity wing and that became my home until I retired from the profession in 2008. Throughout this period, I delivered so many babies, more than 10 000 and I was also a tutor for the students,” said Sister Makumbe who unfortunately lost her husband in 1983.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledges the vital role of midwifery in providing skilled and compassionate care for women, newborns and families.

It emphasises the importance of respect, dignity, clear communication and pain relief strategies, all of which are fundamental to a positive childbirth experience. Sister Makumbe exemplifies these principles, embodying the essence of a compassionate midwife. Her tireless efforts, spanning 42 years and over 10 000 deliveries, epitomise the core values championed by WHO.

Drawing parallels to the pioneering work of Florence Nightingale, who revolutionised nursing during the Crimean War, Sister Makumbe’s selflessness and dedication have reshaped the lives of countless individuals.

As Sister Makumbe reflects on her extraordinary career, it is impossible not to recognise the profound impact she has had on the lives she touched. Her unwavering dedication to the well-being of mothers and infants has brought hope and joy to families across generations given that she delivered more than 10 000 babies during her career as a midwife.