Staff Reporter
Masvingo – The African Reformed Church run Shonganiso Mission Clinic recently received an ambulance from President Emmerson Mnangagwa fulfilling a pledge he made during the ordination of the church’s new Bishop Professor Rungano Zvobgo who is also the Vice Chancellor of Great Zimbabwe University.
The ambulance was delivered at the clinic on January 11, 2023 after having been handed over to Professor Zvobgo at State House earlier on.
Shonganiso clinic could be the first clinic to have an ambulance in Zimbabwe as most ambulances are owned by hospitals.
Speaking at the event, Prof Zvobgo said the delivery of the ambulance fulfilled his mother’s wish saying she once asked them to source for funds to purchase one but they laughed it off.
“This donation here fulfills Mbuya Zvobgo’s wishes. She once asked us to source for an ambulance long ago but we said it was impossible. She asked us if we had tried but had not, but now it’s here,” said Prof Zvobgo.
He said the ambulance will go a long way in helping as expecting mothers were delivering on road sides on their way to Morgenster Mission Hospital and appealed to people not to misuse the vehicle.
“We need to thank the president for the donation that will save lives. We pleaded with him to upgrade our bridge (across Mutirikwi bridge) and we hope the issue will be addressed soon,” he added.
His spokesperson and nephew Mugove Matindike told the gathering that the ambulance will be used to ferry critical people to referral hospitals mainly the old, expecting mothers, critically ill or injured people and school leaners especially during sporting activities.
Fuel will be provided by government as well as the driver but during critical fuel shortages, people may be asked to contribute.
Other patients who are not critical and may need the services of the ambulance are allowed to use it at a cost.
The area village head Hericanos Chisina thanked Prof Zvobgo and president Mnangagwa for the donation saying he had fulfilled his promise but urged the responsible authorities were to look into the road issue as the ambulance could not render services if the road is bad.
“We want to thank you Professor (Zvobgo) for talking to the president on our behalf. I heard the president promising the ambulance saying you had asked him, so it is our hope that the bridge issue will be renovated soon. I also know that the bridge cannot be constructed where there is no road so the road issue will be addressed also,” said Chisina.
Shonganiso Mission consists of a clinic, church, primary and secondary schools.
