Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
IN a move aimed at alleviating transport challenges faced by healthcare staff, Government, through the Ministry of Health and Child Care has availed two buses to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital and Chipinge District Hospital, last Friday.
The buses were handed over to the provincial referral hospital’s acting medical superintendent, Dr Lincoln Makiwa by the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza.
Minister Mugadza said this is part of Government’s efforts to improve the working conditions of health staff so that they can deliver quality services to patients.
The buses will be used to ferry staff members to and from work.
“The handover of these buses is a clear testament to the commitment and dedication to offer non-monetary benefits to civil servants countrywide. This gesture will go a long way in alleviating transport woes being faced by members of staff at the two referral hospitals.
“The buses are a gesture from Government under the Ministry of Health and Child Care which seeks to equip all the hospitals across the country with buses for easy transportation of health workers. The buses have come at an appropriate time given the challenges that were being faced by staff members at the two hospitals. It is Government’s commitment to ensure that all hospitals have adequate buses, and we shall be receiving them in batches,” he said.
Minister Mugadza said inadequate staff accommodation and the need for expansion at the two hospitals will soon be a thing of the past.
“Government ably led by President Mnangagwa should be appreciated for initiating such a project which will go a long way in alleviating employees’ transport challenges. The province has recorded achievements in the health sector in areas such as fighting major outbreaks of Covid-19 and cholera, installation of solar equipment, drilling of boreholes at health centres, establishment of new hospital facilities for operation and construction of new clinics,” he said.
Minister Mugadza emphasized the importance of supporting healthcare staff, saying: “Our healthcare workers are the backbone of our healthcare system, and it is our duty to ensure that they have the resources they need to do their job effectively. We will continue to work with hospitals and healthcare facilities to identify their needs and provide support where it is needed most”.
Dr Makiwa expressed gratitude to Government for the timely donation, saying the gesture marks a significant milestone in the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s efforts to improve healthcare services in Manicaland.
He said the gesture also demonstrates Government’s commitment to supporting healthcare workers, and ensuring they have the resources they need to provide quality care to patients.
“We are thrilled to receive these buses, which will greatly improve the lives of our staff members. They will no longer have worries about how to get to work, allowing them to focus on providing quality care to our patients.
“The two buses will make a significant difference in the lives of healthcare staff at Victoria Chitepo Provincial and Chipinge District hospitals, allowing us to focus on providing quality care to patients without worrying about transport challenges.
“The buses will also improve the overall efficiency of the hospitals, allowing our staff to arrive on time and provide prompt services to patients. This will ultimately lead to better health outcomes and improved patient satisfaction. We are grateful that Government is walking the talk because the donation is a testament to its commitment to prioritising the needs of healthcare workers and ensuring that we have the resources we need to provide quality care,” said Dr Makiwa.
A nurse at the hospital, Ms Precious Mabhena welcomed the donation saying:
“This is a huge relief for us. We used to struggle to get to work, especially during the rainy season. Now, we can focus on our work without worrying about transport.”
Another nurse, Mr Tichaona Nyoni added: “This donation shows that Government cares about our well-being and is committed to improving our working conditions. We are grateful for this support.”
