Hospital administrator David Sithole, PRO Zulu and matron Nomazulu Mpande receiving the donation from Smith (centre)
Upenyu Chaota
Masvingo General Hospital could soon be singing the ‘Amazing Grace’ after a medical team from Licking Memorial Hospital in the American state of Ohio showed keen interest in establishing a partnership which would result in the provision world class health care services.
The medical team came into the country on a scouting mission to see which hospitals they could partner for the purposes of development and training.
They came under the banner of Rotary International and their trip was also facilitated by the philanthropic organisation, the Living Water of Ohio.
The Masvingo Rotary Club also played an active role in securing the visit of the medical team.
Head of delegation and former president of the Newark Heath Rotary Club in Ohio, Jeff Smith said the people of Ohio loved the people of Zimbabwe and they will work hard to create relations with
medical institutions in the country.
“For the love of humanity, we have travelled this far to come and see how best we can work together with Masvingo Provincial Hospital.
“We want to create a mutual relationship which benefits both sides and if possible, we could create an exchange programme for our staff to gain more experience and knowledge. This is the beginning of a long relationship,” said Smith.
The tour revealed the urgent work that needs to be done to fix the deplorable conditions at the hospital’s mortuary.
Masvingo General Hospital Public Relations Officer (PRO) Ruth Zulu said there were huge problems with the mortuary of the province’s only referral medical facility.
“The mortuary is very small and in a deplorable state. There is need to build a bigger morgue which can accommodate more bodies and keep them well preserved,” said Zulu.
The medical team from Ohio also donated some theatre materials before spending the whole day treating patients free of charge.local
