Rtd General Rugeje donates goods worth US$50,000 to Silveira Mission Hospital

By Staff ReporterBIKITA – Retired Army General Engelbert Rugeje has today (June 2) donated goods worth US$50,000 to Silveira Mission Hospital in Bikita District, a gesture that comes from a son of the soil giving back to his community. He has called upon other locals, both at home and abroad, to contribute whatever they can towards the development of the area.Rugeje, who hails from Bikita District, handed over the donation to the hospital administration in a brief ceremony held at the mission this morning. The goods include medical supplies, heaters, injections, protective clothing and other consumables aimed at improving healthcare delivery at the rural facility.Speaking during the handover, Rtd Gen Rugeje said he was pleased to have managed to bring something to his home area and urged others to follow suit.“I urge others, especially those who hail from this area, to come and add to what we have done. For our community to develop, it needs healthy people, and to be healthy you need access to health services. So, we know there are others in Zimbabwe and those abroad; we call upon them to do whatever little they can,” said Rugeje.He noted that the challenges facing Bikita community and Silveira Mission Hospital are not limited to medication shortages alone. He highlighted the poor state of roads as a critical issue.“The road from the main highway to the hospital should be tarred to allow easy movement of ambulances carrying patients. I once spoke to people who are responsible for roads in government to help us and will continue pushing them,” he said.Rugeje, who completed his secondary education at Silveira Mission, revealed that he has been the mission’s patron since 1990. He said being a patron does not mean just cutting ribbons and sitting at the high table.“Being a patron does not mean you are invited to cut ribbons and sit at the high table giving speeches. You have to be a father figure who provides for the family. I have been donating goods to this mission since 1990,” he said.Receiving the donation on behalf of the hospital, the medical superintendent Dr Zvikomborero Mugwenjedzi said the gift had come at a right time.Speaking at the handover, a community member identified as Mr Tichaurawa thanked General Rugeje for the kind gesture and said locals should ensure they also benefit from programmes such as nurse recruitment.“We thank General Rugeje for the donation because every area is developed by its own people. We appeal to the authorities to make sure that during the recruitment of trainee nurses, they also prioritise locals who will then serve the local community,” said Tichaurawa.General Rugeje served in the Zimbabwe National Army for decades before retiring. He is known for his philanthropic work, particularly in his home district of Bikita.