By Bright Zhou
Morgenster Mission Hospital in Masvingo District has applauded a US$171 000 cash donation they received from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which has enabled the facility to purchase critical medical equipment.
Speaking during a handover ceremony on April 3, 2024, Morgenster Medical Superintendent Tafadzwa Muchengwa said they were happy to receive the donation which helped them to buy some vital medical equipment to be used at the hospital.
“We are happy with the donation of US$171 000 from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which has enabled us to buy medical equipment including laundry machines, theatre lights, 100KVI generator, solar systems, Auto Cleaving Machines, batteries, incubators. Part of the money was used in paving the whole institution, painting, and building,” said Muchengwa.
Muchengwa said the equipment bought was necessary for attending to patients on time, especially the generator and solar system as these would provide power backup for patients in the theatre.
“The equipment we bought is crucial in saving lives for instance in terms of load shedding the hospital will use the heavy-duty generator for power backup in theatres,” said Muchengwa.
Latter Days Church Country Coordinator, Tatenda Chiwore said they had donated to save lives.
“As a church, we donated cash to Morgenster Mission Hospital because we believe in helping others in society, especially in hospitals where patients die due to lack of medicines and equipment for treatment. The church believes that if we help other people we will be remembered by God which is the best thing to do,” said Chiwore.
Chiwore said the donation came from congregants’ offerings and was part of the church’s donations although it was the first donation made to Morgenster Mission.
“We decided to donate cash to the hospital and the money came from the congregants’ offerings. The church often donates to hospitals across the country but this is our first time at Morgenster Mission Hospital,” said Chiwore.
Reformed Church in Zimbabwe Moderator Reverend Dr. Isaac Pandasvika said some equipment will work at maternity wards like incubators, and dryers and washers will be used for their laundry.
Pandasvika said this helped the hospital to clean used materials after operations to avoid doctors getting in contact with blood and to avoid the spreading of diseases such as cholera.
“We have replaced our outdated laundry machines with new ones, this will help especially doctors to wear clean materials and not get in contact with blood before or after operations. This will also go a long way in preventing the spread of cholera in and around the hospital,” said Dr Pandasvika.
Part of the cash was also used to make brick and concrete pavements around the hospital, painting as well as lighting.
“We paved the whole institution as the hospital often gets muddy when it rains and we put street lights around for patients to easily walk during dark hours. Things were critical in several areas but this donation has helped us improve,” said Dr Pandasvika.
