Chronicle Editor
Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, Senior Reporter
BUBI villagers got a shot in the arm when the First Lady Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa, through her organisation Angel of Hope, donated food hampers to Inyathi Hospital on Tuesday.
The donation which comprised mealie-meal, soap, rice, cooking oil, salt, sugar and sugar beans also included a wheelchair given to a gold panner, Mr Fanuel Moyo, who has been admitted to the hospital for the past five years.
In 2019, Mr Moyo (34) had an accident inside a mine shaft which left him with a spinal injury, unable to walk, sit upright and pass stool and urine normally.
Since then, Mr Moyo has been admitted to the hospital and his mother is also ill. He uses at least two adult diapers daily and has been developing severe bed sores.
Speaking during the hand over ceremony of the donated goods, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minster Richard Moyo said the gestures by the mother of the nation is important as it instils hope to vulnerable members of society.
“This is a fulfilment of one of the many interventions that Her Excellency Dr Amai Mnangagwa has made proving that indeed she is a champion for the needs of the vulnerable in society. It is my hope that this donation will go a long way in improving our health institutions by providing for and covering the gaps in our society,” he said.
“This heartfelt gesture by Her Excellency Dr Amai Mnangagwa is an assurance of the commitment by the Second Republic to see efficiency in the health service delivery as it is evident that together we can go a long way and leave no one behind.”
Minister Moyo said following Mr Moyo’s plea for adult diapers, wheelchair and toiletries, the First Lady decided to donate to the hospital so that villagers can also benefit.
Mr Moyo said he was grateful for the donation.
“I had a spinal injury while mining in 2017 and since then my life has been miserable. I cannot walk or even pass stool normally. I have some sores which make it difficult for me to sit upright,” he said.
“Sadly, there is no one in my family who could take me in, which is why I live at Inyathi Hospital. My mother is partially paralysed and unemployed. I wish to walk again and be able to pass urine and stool normally like every other man.”
Mr Nqabayenzwe Maphosa, one of community leaders, said he wrote a letter to the First Lady after he noted that there were few well-wishers from his locality to assist Mr Moyo.
“I wrote to the first lady after realising that Mr Moyo was suffering all alone and that the hospital could not cope with his needs. Sometimes he would run out of adult diapers and just sit on a plastic bag, which worsened his bed sores especially when it’s hot,” he said.
“We also appeal to well-wishers to help him raise funds for a surgery that may help him lead a normal life. We are also grateful for the response we got from the First Lady.”
Mr Maphosa said the donated consignment will go a long way in addressing Mr Moyo’s plight.
“It’s such a relief to know that he will be able to have diapers at least for the next few months,” he said.
Mr Moyo needs at least US$1 000 to undergo corrective surgery and has failed to raise that amount since 2017 when he was involved in a mine accident. – @thamamoe
Online Reporter