By Kuda Pembere
Zimbabwe’s leading financial services provider, Old Mutual, has handed over refurbished call rooms for medical doctors at Sally Mugabe Pediatric Hospital.
The call rooms provide a resting area for resident doctors on call, helping to reduce burnout and fatigue while promoting mental well-being.
“Too often, when we think about hospitals, our focus is rightly on the patients, their care, comfort, and recovery. But sometimes, in that noble focus, we overlook the needs of those who make that healing possible, our doctors and healthcare teams who work tirelessly, day and night,” said Lillian Mbayiwa, Old Mutual’s Marketing, Public Affairs and Sustainability Executive.
Mbayiwa acknowledged the immense responsibility carried by Harare Children’s Hospital, which operates seven wards with a total of 240 beds.
During discussions with the Rotary Club of Harare West about renovations at the hospital, Old Mutual learned that the doctors’ call rooms were also in need of attention.
“It came about as they raised concerns about the environment that the resident doctors in Harare Children’s Hospital were enduring. While we often focus on the patients, the children and their well-being, we sometimes forget the heroes behind the work,” Mbayiwa said.
“After our needs assessment, we realized we wanted to do more to ensure that the doctors had comfortable rooms to rest and recharge from their demanding work. We spoke to some of the doctors using the rooms, and they said it is a game changer. Some who were once resident doctors wished they could relive that experience just to enjoy this level of comfort,” she added.
“We are humbled to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of our doctors and, by extension, the health sector as a whole.”
Rotary Club of Harare West president Professor Felicity Gumbo said the renovated call rooms were a small but meaningful gesture to ease the strain on medical staff working under intense pressure.
“This hospital is very busy, with over a hundred children seen daily during the peak season. The workload is high, and we often see fatigue among the junior resident doctors and interns rotating through pediatrics every four months,” she said.
“Having a comfortable resting space may seem small, but it helps motivate our doctors to do better and provide excellent child care. The patient load and mortality rates can be emotionally draining, so any show of appreciation from the community makes a difference.”
Sally Mugabe Hospital Clinical Director, Dr Harunavamwe N. Chifamba, said the donation would go a long way in improving morale.
“We appreciate the support from Old Mutual, National Carpets, and the Rotary Club. They have refurbished our call rooms, where doctors on call can rest between shifts. This will empower our doctors, help them unwind, and motivate them to keep delivering their best,” Dr Chifamba said.
Senior House Officer Dr Gabriel Mupereki welcomed the gesture, saying it came at the right time.
“Renovating the doctors’ call rooms in the Paediatric Department, one of our busiest areas, is vital for providing our healthcare heroes with a safe, comfortable, and restorative space to recharge, ultimately enabling us to deliver exceptional care to our young patients.”
He added, “Before the refurbishment, doctors’ call rooms in our department were not on point, lacking basic amenities and a comfortable environment, making it challenging for healthcare professionals to rest and recharge during long shifts. This could lead to fatigue, decreased morale, and potentially impact patient care.”
