BULAWAYO’S business community has responded positively to Mpilo Central Hospital’s plea for help with donations ranging from cash to institutions pledging to rehabilitate wards.

Report by Blondie Ndebele

Mpilo, which is the biggest referral hospital servicing Matabeleland provinces, Midlands and Masvingo in December last year appealed for $7 million to rehabilitate its infrastructure that has suffered years of neglect.

The hospital’s chief executive officer Lawrence Mantiziba yesterday told NewsDay that the resource mobisation had received a lot of support from the corporate world.

“There are a lot of projects under implementation right now,” he said.

“As Mpilo, we are making a passionate appeal to everyone to continue with this project, which is now bearing fruits to help the hospital.”

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Mantiziba said Holiday Inn had adopted Ward B6, which needed a major overhaul. Renovations at the ward would include replacement of the wooden flooring with vinyl, painting, refurbishment of sluice rooms, rehabilitation of the drainage system as well as partitioning of the ward.

Blissful Enterprises refurbished Ward 2 by repairing the floors, and replacing patients beds and bedside lockers.

It also repaired bathrooms and ablution facilities, and provided linen for the ward. Metropolitan Bank also adopted a ward while ZB Bank is renovating another one.

The National Railways of Zimbabwe offered to transport coal from the Hwange Colliery Company free of charge. J Automotive is in the process of repairing two ambulances, while CBZ Bank donated a fully-equipped 4×4 ambulance.

POSB donated $5 000 for the rehabilitation of a borehole and World Vision has also pledged to help the hospital.

Kango products donated kitchenware, while Medgripp donated printers and cartridges.

Medwise is focusing on the renal unit; partitioning of the ward, supply of protective clothing for staff and general maintenance.

Datlabs supplied 40 dustbins and is in the process of updating information and direction signs, while an anonymous well-wisher donated drugs and surgical sundries worth $15 000. Zim Health Europe supplied paediatric, theatre and maternity equipment. Mantiziba said there were individuals, organisations and companies that had also shown interest in reviving the hospital by making several donations.