Zimbabwe Network for Health – Europe

August 2009

Zimbabweans in Diaspora mobilize to contribute towards the rehabilitation of the health facilities in Zimbabwe

View Pictures Here

Mbare Polyclinic in Harare received over US$12,000 worth of bedding and equipment for its maternity services. The care for pregnant women and new born babies will be significantly improved with this consignment, which has been sponsored by Zimbabweans in Europe and the United States of America (USA). The Zimbabweans have raised funds among themselves to help in the revamping of the country’s health services.

At the handover ceremony at Mbare Edith Oppermann Maternity Hospital on 30 July 2009, presided by the Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Henry Madzorera, the Mayor of the city of Harare, Mr. Muchadeyi Masunda, The Director of Health Services in the city of Harare, Dr. Stanley Mungofa, and other dignitaries and city councillors, the Zimbabwe Network for Health in Europe (ZimHealth – Europe) and the Zimbabwean Diaspora in the USA were represented by Drs. Francis Ndowa and Daniel Makuto. In accepting the donation on behalf of the city of Harare, Dr. Madzorera said, “The Edith Oppermann [Maternity Hospital] has witnessed a brave and progressive step towards the rebuilding of the country’s health system …a clear and exciting indication that there are Zimbabweans in the Diaspora who are interested in the welfare of their motherland”. He looked forward to the day when Zimbabweans can say they are now able to take care of Zimbabwe’s health-care system. He saluted and thanked ZimHealth –Europe and the Zimbabweans in the Diaspora in the USA for having successfully taken the lead in this type of venture and urged other Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to engage his ministry and play their part in the process of rebuilding the nation. In his speech, Dr. Ndowa said “Zimbabweans in the Diaspora can work together to mobilise resources and contribute towards the Ministry’s efforts to revamp the health services for all Zimbabweans”. The country’s health system has been devastated by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the economic crisis and a movement of expertise to neighbouring countries and abroad. The cholera epidemic at the end of last year, one of the worst in Africa, was an indication of how badly the health system has been impacted.

The initiative by Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to mobilize Zimbabweans to contribute resources towards the rebuilding of health services in Zimbabwe has been going on since 2007. In handing over the medical equipment, including resuscitaire for newborns, blood pressure machines, refrigerator and other equipment for staff, a microwave and hot plates, Dr. Francis Ndowa of the Zimbabwe Network for Heath in Europe (ZimHealth-Europe) said that this was the first of a number of planned activities to help towards the provision of quality health services to Zimbabweans. He added, “We chose Mbare clinic because it is strategically located, serving the needs of patients from many parts of the city as well as those from the rural areas. We also focused on mothers and babies because they are the most vulnerable of the population.”

Drs. Mike Mbizvo, the Chairperson of ZimHealth-Europe and Dr Godfrey Sikipa who heads the USA group worked closely with Director of the Harare City Health Department and his team in developing a list of priority needs so that the equipment would be both relevant and timely.

The groups plan to provide equipment and bedding to a clinic in Bulawayo next, and then, subject to sufficient resources being mobilised, which they are confident of doing, move to other areas. “Everyone should get involved!” expressed Dr. Sikipa, “It is our collective responsibility as Zimbabweans”.

Zimbabweans in Diaspora mobilize to contribute towards the rehabilitation of the health facilities in Zimbabwe.

Mbare Polyclinic in Harare received over US$12,000 worth of bedding and equipment for its maternity services. The care for pregnant women and new born babies will be significantly improved with this consignment, which has been sponsored by Zimbabweans in Europe and the United States of America (USA). The Zimbabweans have raised funds among themselves to help in the revamping of the country’s health services.

At the handover ceremony at Mbare Edith Oppermann Maternity Hospital on 30 July 2009, presided by the Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Henry Madzorera, the Mayor of the city of Harare, Mr. Muchadeyi Masunda, The Director of Health Services in the city of Harare, Dr. Stanley Mungofa, and other dignitaries and city councillors, the Zimbabwe Network for Health in Europe (ZimHealth – Europe) and the Zimbabwean Diaspora in the USA were represented by Drs. Francis Ndowa and Daniel Makuto. In accepting the donation on behalf of the city of Harare, Dr. Madzorera said, “The Edith Oppermann [Maternity Hospital] has witnessed a brave and progressive step towards the rebuilding of the country’s health system …a clear and exciting indication that there are Zimbabweans in the Diaspora who are interested in the welfare of their motherland”. He looked forward to the day when Zimbabweans can say they are now able to take care of Zimbabwe’s health-care system. He saluted and thanked ZimHealth –Europe and the Zimbabweans in the Diaspora in the USA for having successfully taken the lead in this type of venture and urged other Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to engage his ministry and play their part in the process of rebuilding the nation. In his speech, Dr. Ndowa said “Zimbabweans in the Diaspora can work together to mobilise resources and contribute towards the Ministry’s efforts to revamp the health services for all Zimbabweans”. The country’s health system has been devastated by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the economic crisis and a movement of expertise to neighbouring countries and abroad. The cholera epidemic at the end of last year, one of the worst in Africa, was an indication of how badly the health system has been impacted.

The initiative by Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to mobilize Zimbabweans to contribute resources towards the rebuilding of health services in Zimbabwe has been going on since 2007. In handing over the medical equipment, including resuscitaire for newborns, blood pressure machines, refrigerator and other equipment for staff, a microwave and hot plates, Dr. Francis Ndowa of the Zimbabwe Network for Heath in Europe (ZimHealth-Europe) said that this was the first of a number of planned activities to help towards the provision of quality health services to Zimbabweans. He added, “We chose Mbare clinic because it is strategically located, serving the needs of patients from many parts of the city as well as those from the rural areas. We also focused on mothers and babies because they are the most vulnerable of the population.”

Drs. Mike Mbizvo, the Chairperson of ZimHealth-Europe and Dr Godfrey Sikipa who heads the USA group worked closely with Director of the Harare City Health Department and his team in developing a list of priority needs so that the equipment would be both relevant and timely.

The groups plan to provide equipment and bedding to a clinic in Bulawayo next, and then, subject to sufficient resources being mobilised, which they are confident of doing, move to other areas. “Everyone should get involved!” expressed Dr. Sikipa, “It is our collective responsibility as Zimbabweans”. View Pictures

The Zimbabwe Network for Health (ZimHealth) seeks to raise funds to procure and distribute m edicines, diagnostics, vaccines and other commodities to rehabilitate the health facilities in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s once robust health-care services have declined in recent years, exacerbated by the AIDS epidemic, a serious economic crisis and the considerable exodus of skilled personnel including doctors and nurses.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *