The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
RUSITU Mission Hospital recently received an X-Ray machine and ultrasound machine, a gesture that will go a long way in improving the quality of healthcare and diagnosis for villagers in the area.
The hospital, which serves a population of over 10 000 people, was struggling with outdated and inadequate equipment for years, forcing many patients to travel long distances to access better facilities.
The donations were made possible by an American charitable foundation, Saving African Families Enterprises (SAFE), in partnership with a local church-based development partner, Windows of Hope.
SAFE supports rural development and health initiatives.
Speaking on behalf of Chimanimani District Medical Officer, Dr Donatus Mugari during the handover ceremony of the equipment, the hospital’s sister-in-charge, Mrs Taneswa Dhliwayo, expressed gratitude and appreciation for the development partners, saying the new machines will enhance their capacity to provide timely and accurate treatment for various conditions such as fractures, infections, tumours and prenatal care.
Dr Mugari said: “We would like to thank you for the donation as it will enhance our service delivery, and help patients to access such services closer home.”
Dr Mugari also thanked the partners for training more personnel on how to operate and maintain the machines.
In an interview, Windows of Hope’s programmes officer, Mr Darlington Chikamhi said the donation was made possible through their community health care department desk after they requested for an X-Ray machine to donate to Rusitu Mission Hospital from their partners.
“Despite having a very big catchment area and serving people from as far as Mozambique, the hospital did not have a X-Ray machine. SAFE agreed to assist us to secure a new X-Ray machine for the hospital. They brought the machine and we delivered it. The machine is already in use and a lot of people are benefitting,” he said.
Mr Chikamhi said the equipment will assist villages in Vhimba, Hlabiso, Dzingire and all surrounding areas of Rusitu to have access to X-Ray and ultrasound machine services, than travelling to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, Mutambara Mission Hospital or Chipinge District Hospital, which are their nearest referral hospitals.
“Many hospitals do not have X-Ray machines, so it is a privilege for people in Rusitu Valley to have it installed at Rusitu Mission Hospital. We were also lucky to have an ultrasound machine donated to the same hospital by SAFE, through Windows of Hope. The ultrasound machine is already assisting expecting mothers,” he said.
The donation also saw orphaned children at the mission receiving a television set.
Windows of Hope also donated 6 000Cotrimoxazole (prophlaxis) tablets for people living with HIV. The tablets will benefit 200 patients.
“We have support groups of people living with HIV around Rusitu Valley and they get their supplies from the mission hospital. The hospital will distribute the medicine for free because they are a bit costly if one is buying them from the pharmacy. Most patients here are unemployed and have challenges in accessing them. As a result, we saw it fit to make this donation to patients in this area,” he said.
They also donated 500 HIV self-test kits to the hospital.
