The ManicaPost
Health Reporter
FIVE health institutions in Mutare and Makoni districts received wheelchairs and bidets, courtesy of a gesture from former diplomat and vice-chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, Ambassador Commissioner Mary Margaret Muchada.
The gesture by the Muchada family was in honour of her late mother, Ambuya Diana Justina Mukonyora, who worked at some of the beneficiary institutions as a nurse.
The beneficiaries were Rusape General Hospital, St Theresa Chiduku Hospital and Nedewedzo Clinic (three wheelchairs and one bidet each), Marange Rural Hospital (two wheelchairs and one bidet) and Dowa Health Centre (one wheelchair).
“I am here to present my family’s token of appreciation to the hospitals and clinics where my late mother worked in her later days. She made history as the first non-religious girl to qualify as a nurse at Makumbi Mission Hospital. Her career could be traced to institutions like Makumbi, Chinamhora, Kutama Mission Hospital, Mount Melleray Hospital, Nyanga Clinic, Marange Rural Hospital, Mabvuku Clinic and Nedewedzo Clinic.
“When time came for her to retire, she did not retire as such, as all neighbours continued to see in her a local mid-wife. It was not unusual for our house to be turned into a labour ward without notice. In recognition of this role, she was given a register to record all her home deliveries. We had to plead with her to stop working as she was getting on. We feared that she could encounter complications and possibly end up ruining her illustrious career in the community. It is with such thoughts and recognition of such remarkable work by my mother that my colleagues from the diplomatic corps in Brussels contributed towards this project. I hope this equipment will help many people particularly pregnant women and those in the post-natal period,” said Ambassador Commissioner Muchada.
Provincial Medical Director for Manicaland Dr Patron Mafaune, who stood in for the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa, said the wheelchairs and other accessories would go a long way to create an enabling curative environment.
“I am humbled that Ambassador Commissioner Muchada, who has served the country at diplomatic level, has today remembered to give back to the communities that nurtured her. The donation has come at an opportune moment when the ministry of Health and child welfare is focusing on providing quality services to our clients and patients in line with the national health strategy and to ultimately meet the set target of our Zim-Asset.
“As a ministry we strongly support this gesture where members of the community donate to institutions thereby contributing to the process of health service provision. I challenge all of us to remember and give back to the communities that contributed to where we are now,” said Dr Mafaune.
Rusape General Hospital rehabilitation department has 66 physically challenged members on the wheelchair allocation waiting list.
