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Bulawayo Bureau

VICE President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday donated a washing machine worth $13 000 to Nkayi District Hospital in Matabeleland North Province. He also donated 10 glucometer machines that are used to measure blood sugar in patients suffering from diabetes. VP Mphoko had identified the need for a washing machine at the hospital two months ago and promised to facilitate its procurement.The hospital was facing serious challenges in cleaning patients’ blankets and linen due to broken down washing machines.

Speaking before handing over the washing machine, VP Mphoko said the donation would go a long way in improving hygiene and cleanliness in the hospital’s wards.

“I was here two months ago and I saw the dysfunctional washing machines. I promised that I would come back with a washing machine to assist the hospital clean its linen and blankets in a more efficient and convenient way.

“This is a problem that most hospitals are facing. Most of their machines are obsolete and need to be replaced. It’s not a good situation when the hospital has to take their linen to other hospitals or members of staff have to hand wash linen and blankets,” he said.

VP Mphoko said the new washing machine, which had a lifespan of more than 50 years, was locally manufactured by Mr Nobert Makate, a laundry machine specialist at Bemro Enterprises.

He said he asked Mr Makate to repair broken down machines at Government hospitals.

“I’m happy that I donated a durable washing machine that won’t give the hospital headaches. Mr Makate is a specialist in laundry machines and I have asked him to fix the old broken down machines,” said VP Mphoko, adding that it was critical to develop Matabeleland province, which has some of the poorest districts in the country.

The Vice President said a number of programmes were lined up for communities in Nkayi including the construction of science laboratories in some schools.

“We have to bring development to the people, especially in the rural areas, to improve their livelihoods. We’ll start by sinking two boreholes in Nkayi soon before we construct four laboratories in schools that are yet to be identified.

“I’m promising the Nkayi community today that I will donate two incubating machines and day-old chicks which I’ve donated to other provinces. I’ve already donated incubating machines to villagers in Mkumbura and Mtshabezi,” said VP Mphoko.

He added that he would soon round up his chicken poultry project in Bulawayo before proceeding to Mashonaland Central, Matabeleland North and other provinces.

VP Mphoko said he had also spoken to the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Walter Chidhakwa to issue out licenses to groups of people in the Nkayi community so that they can earn a living.

He appealed to the people of Nkayi to assist him in his work to help them improve their lives on behalf of President Mugabe.

“I believe that people trust me now because I keep my promises. I’m appealing to the people to be trustworthy and utilise the resources that they are given,” said VP Mphoko.

The Nkayi District Medical Officer, Dr Thabani Moyo, expressed gratitude to the VP for his donation, saying the hospital was facing many challenges that were affecting service delivery.

“We’re humbled by this donation. It will go a long way in improving service delivery at the hospital. We were now washing manually and depending on other hospitals to clean our linen. This was making it difficult for us to provide clean linen all the time.

“The hospital is facing many challenges that include a shortage of ambulances and service vehicles, frequent stock out of drugs,” said Dr Moyo.

He said hospital’s mothers waiting shelter, which has a capacity of 60 expecting mothers, was overwhelmed with more than 100 people.

The handover ceremony was also attended by the District Administrator, Mr Mandlamakhulu Moyo, Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial secretary for Finance, Cde Stars Mathe, traditional leaders in the area and villagers.