The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
IN a move aimed at improving the country’s health delivery system, Chipinge District Hospital received a major shot in the arm following the installation of a 5 000-litre oxygen tank.
The development is one of the fruits being reaped from the Second Republic’s investment efforts that resulted in the broadening of Verify Engineering operations at its Feruka Plant in Mutare.
The country is now medical oxygen sufficient, thanks to the commissioning of the Verify Oxygen Plant by President Mnangagwa in 2021.
A development partner, World Vision Zimbabwe funded the Chipinge District Hospital oxygen tank installation project, with Verify Engineering (VE Gases) being contracted to install the bulky oxygen tank.
The development will see the hospital supplying oxygen in small cylinders to other health facilities dotted across the district.
For long, the district hospital used to take oxygen in small quantities from Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, resulting in insufficient supplies to local clinics.
Under the project, VE Gases managed to install the reservoir, tubed it and connected the oxygen to the wards.
Acting Chipinge District Medical Officer, Dr Ozimmo Matekenya said the district health facilities are now capacitated following the installation of the oxygen tank at the referral hospital.
“We want to give thanks Government and its partners for availing the 5000l oxygen tank to us. As a district, we are now oxygen sufficient. We will be able to easily distribute the oxygen to other health facilities in the district. We are excited as a district because oxygen is a key component in our health facilities.
“All respiratory illnesses such as Covid-19 need oxygen, as well as other theatre emergencies,” he said.
Dr Matekenya added that the new oxygen tank will help store oxygen for a long period.
“The estimated duration that we can get from this oxygen tank is plus or minus three and half years for all the facilities in Chipinge District,” he added.
World Vision representative, Mr Joel Bizure said: “The hospital qualified to receive this project because of its catchment area which continues to grow.
“The oxygen project was implemented under the Tongogara Refugee Camp Action for Covid-19 Emergency Response and Preparations Programme,” he said.
Speaking during the tour of the hospital last week, Chipinge District Development coordinator, Mr William Mashava said the project is in line with Vision 2030 of modernising the country’s health facilities.
He hailed Verify Engineering for partnering with development partners to install the oxygen tank.
“We want to thank President Mnangagwa for walking the talk. This is an exemplary project of not leaving no one and no place behind.
“As a district, we are grateful for this project as it will go a long way in assisting our people. We are also urging the health personnel to safeguard the valuable oxygen resource,” said Mr Mashava.
