Chronicle EditorHerald Correspondent
CHIVHU General Hospital on Friday received an ambulance from the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce to improve health delivery.
The hospital relied on just two ambulances before the donation.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa said the donation would go a long way in reducing maternal deaths.
“We would like to thank ZNCC for this donation for it will go a long way in reducing maternal mortality.
“During the tour we noticed that there are several gaps that need to be filled.
“The hospital kitchen is too small; so is the mortuary where bodies are piled in their numbers.
“The outpatients ward is also small so that patients are overcrowded,” he said.
He said nurses needed to be adequately paid and supplied with essential resources for them to excel.
Chivhu General Hospital acting medical superintendent Dr Alice Kanyemba said the institution used to have one doctor but now had four.
She said they were catering for patients from surrounding districts, putting a strain on their infrastructure.
“As you have seen, our mortuary is designed to accommodate six bodies, but we have more than 30 bodies piled up.
“We do not have a kitchen at all because the tiny one that we are using was built during the colonial era.
“We have to fetch firewood to cook for our patients and staff,” she said.
Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha thanked the ZNCC for the donation.
Mashonaland East Governor Retired Brigadier Ambrose Mutinhiri said local business people should also help improve the health sector.
President of ZNCC Mr Davison Nerupiri said they sourced funds from various stakeholders to purchase the ambulance from South Africa.
Online Reporter