Cephas Shava
CHIKOMBEDZI –
A serious health crisis is brewing at the Free Methodist Church (FMC)-run Chikombedzi
Mission Hospital as corpses are being left to spend several hours in the wards since
the mortuary is no longer functional.
A serious health crisis is brewing at the Free Methodist Church (FMC)-run Chikombedzi
Mission Hospital as corpses are being left to spend several hours in the wards since
the mortuary is no longer functional.
The
hospital is no longer accommodating any bodies in the mortuary which has since
been shut down. Those that die while admitted at the institution are just
covered with blankets and made to remain in the wards until their relatives collect
them.
hospital is no longer accommodating any bodies in the mortuary which has since
been shut down. Those that die while admitted at the institution are just
covered with blankets and made to remain in the wards until their relatives collect
them.
The
body of the late Mwenezi Zanu PF Ward 15 Cllr, Edson Chauke spent the whole of Sunday,
November 17, night and much of the following day in the ward after his death at
around 18:00htrs.
body of the late Mwenezi Zanu PF Ward 15 Cllr, Edson Chauke spent the whole of Sunday,
November 17, night and much of the following day in the ward after his death at
around 18:00htrs.
The
body was only collected by his family around 17:00hrs the following day,
meaning it spend close to 24hrs in the ward.
body was only collected by his family around 17:00hrs the following day,
meaning it spend close to 24hrs in the ward.
Ward
13 Mwenezi East Cllr Takura Mudavose, who was part of a team which visited the
hospital to collect the body of their colleague, said he was shocked by what he
witnessed at the hospital.
13 Mwenezi East Cllr Takura Mudavose, who was part of a team which visited the
hospital to collect the body of their colleague, said he was shocked by what he
witnessed at the hospital.
He
said they just found Chauke’s body on the hospital bed covered with blankets
and in the initial stages of decomposition in the sweltering heat.
said they just found Chauke’s body on the hospital bed covered with blankets
and in the initial stages of decomposition in the sweltering heat.
“It
was revolting to find our colleague’ decomposing body covered still in the ward
in his ward. Had we delayed a little bit, it was going to be something else.
Just imagine with this weather his dead body spent close to 24 hours in the hospital
ward,” said Mudavose.
was revolting to find our colleague’ decomposing body covered still in the ward
in his ward. Had we delayed a little bit, it was going to be something else.
Just imagine with this weather his dead body spent close to 24 hours in the hospital
ward,” said Mudavose.
A
nurse at the institution told TellZim News that they had completely shut down
the mortuary service for reasons she could not disclose.
nurse at the institution told TellZim News that they had completely shut down
the mortuary service for reasons she could not disclose.
“The
truth of the matter is that we no longer have a mortuary here. When we realise
that a patient is no longer responding to treatment we urge relatives to ferry
them home. We also advise people to collect their dead relatives’ bodies as
soon as possible,” said the nurse who spoke on condition of anonymity.
truth of the matter is that we no longer have a mortuary here. When we realise
that a patient is no longer responding to treatment we urge relatives to ferry
them home. We also advise people to collect their dead relatives’ bodies as
soon as possible,” said the nurse who spoke on condition of anonymity.
It
is understood machinery in the mortuary has broken down while the rolling
electricity blackouts are not helping the matter.
is understood machinery in the mortuary has broken down while the rolling
electricity blackouts are not helping the matter.
Locals
who spoke to TellZim News said the hospital used to be one of the best treatment
centres which has, however, now turned into a pale shadow of its former self.
who spoke to TellZim News said the hospital used to be one of the best treatment
centres which has, however, now turned into a pale shadow of its former self.
The
Mission Hospital, besides servicing thousands of people within Chikombedzi, is
also a referral centre of several people around the borders of Mwenezi and
Chiredzi districts.
Mission Hospital, besides servicing thousands of people within Chikombedzi, is
also a referral centre of several people around the borders of Mwenezi and
Chiredzi districts.
The
hospital was built by FMC missionaries beginning in 1947 and was closed in the
mid-1970s after being turned into a Rhodesian military camp. It was reopened
after independence in 1981, and has become a referral hospital with 14 rural health clinics that rely on
it for referral services.
hospital was built by FMC missionaries beginning in 1947 and was closed in the
mid-1970s after being turned into a Rhodesian military camp. It was reopened
after independence in 1981, and has become a referral hospital with 14 rural health clinics that rely on
it for referral services.
