By Kuda Pembere
One of Zimbabwe’s biggest shopping retailers TM PicknPay donated 3000 blankets to 12 public hospitals in the country on Wednesday.
The blankets come at the nick of time when the country is experiencing a cold spell which has left many hospitalized.
Ministry of Health and Child Care Public Health Chief Director Dr Maxwell Hove in a speech read on his behalf by Sally Mugabe Central Hospital Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Hopewell Mungani said the donation is a show of commitment to complement government’s efforts of improving the health of the nation.
“I stand before you today humbled and grateful as we receive this generous donation of 3,000 blankets to our government hospitals by TM Pick and Pay.
“This timely contribution complements government’s ongoing efforts to improve the health sector, thus aligning with the Second Republic’s vision of ensuring quality health care for all and leaving no one and no place behind.
“As the government continues to prioritize health care development, investing in infrastructure, equipment and human resources, the donation made by TM Pick n Pay campaign enhances our endeavors,” Dr Hove said.
Dr Hove said the blankets are essential in the provision of quality health care in public hospitals.
“These blankets will provide comfort and warmth to our patients, particularly the vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the young, and those in intensive care. They will also help us in maintaining high standards of hygiene and infection control which are critical components for quality health care,” he said.
He also said, “It is encouraging that this donation follows yet another donation of blankets last year, as well as chemotherapy drugs made to the Ministry in the past, thus demonstrating TM Pick n Pay’s commitment to supporting health care programs.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the open-door policy of the Second Republic continues to yield fruitful results, attracting support from partners such as T Pick n Pay and many. Your trust in our nation’s health care system motivates us to strive for excellence. These 3,000 blankets will be distributed to the hospitals nationwide, benefiting our citizens, especially the vulnerable.”
TM PicknPay finance director Mr Gamuchirai Nyamuzinga said since 2020 they have donated over 10 000 blankets.
“Today we are gathered here to celebrate the handing over of blankets from TM Pick n Pay I to the Ministry of Health for distribution to various hospitals in the country.
“I will just go briefly as to what we as TM Pick n Pay are dedicated in terms of what we do. TM PicknPay is dedicated to supporting and giving back to the community, and that makes our existence possible. We believe, as it is our mantra, doing good is good business.
“And our blanket drive, besides the cancer awareness which we are aware of, is one of our key CSR initiatives. And since inception in 2020, we have given over 10 000 blankets touching the countless lives of individuals across the country,” he said.
He said last year they gave blankets to pediatric wards across the country.
“Last year, again, if you remember, we donated 3,000 blankets to 18 pediatric wards in various hospitals.
“This year even if the economy is stabilizing we have also decided to donate 3000 blankets to be distributed across 12 hospitals around the country.
“We sincerely hope these blankets will not only provide comfort and hope but convey a message of care and compassion to patients during their time of need. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Minister of Health and Child Care for your partnership in this noble cause,” he said. “These 3,000 blankets, they are not enough, we know, but it’s the little we can do to help each other so that we have a better community. We have better patients who are also taken care of. I know the needs in the various hospitals. I know the needs in the wards that you need in this pediatric wards. But we’ll continue working together.
Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals chief medical officer Dr Tsitsi Magure commended the donation noting it came as the country is battling a deadly flu.
“This donation could not come at the right time when the country is currently experiencing a cold spell that has given rise to a significant rise in severe flu-like illnesses in many districts of the country for the past few weeks, secondary to the circulating flu variants.
“We hope it will go away very soon. Certainly the blankets will go a long way in keeping our patients warm, and that we are deeply grateful to the Pick and Pay community for coming up with this timely intervention to our patients.
“PGH commends such corporate social investments by the Pick and Pay community, which is in line with His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe, Dr. E.D Mnangagwa clarion call for all of us to participate in the building of the nation and the economy as a whole,” she said. “Indeed, if you put our hands together, we’ll ensure that patients are treated in a warm and safe and clean environment and will ensure quick recovery of our patients.”
