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BULAWAYO — Mpilo Hospital is sustaining its operations through donations from well wishers because government has not released most of the promised funding since the beginning of last year.
For the financial year 2010, the government allocated US$285.4 million to the Ministry of Health against last year’s US$121 million.
Bulawayo governor, Cain Mathema said Mpilo hospital needed about US$600 000 to adequately fund its operations but has so far received only US$60 000 from government coffers and in donations.
Mathema said due to lack of funding, boilers at the hospital were not working while the kitchen and nurses’ homes needed repairs.
He said there were shortages of linen and bedding at the hospital’s wards that must be addressed urgently.
“The zeal and interest to return Mpilo Hospital onto the map of the country’s best health institutions is there,” Mathema added. “What is only lacking is the financial power.”
The 1 000-bed hospital caters for referrals from within Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, the Midlands, and Masvingo.
The plight of the hospital came under the spotlight during a visit by British MPs last week.
The eight MPs from the House of Commons’ International Development Committee were in Zimbabwe on a four-day visit to review the effectiveness of the United Kingdom’s aid programme.
Ellen Chikerema, a senior nurse at Mpilo told visitors that the lack of funding had hampered the procurement of essential equipment for laundry, kitchen and boiler services.
“Our situation was worsened by the fact that the government allocation did not come as promised,” she said.
“We have been waiting for that and it is our hope that the money will come at a later stage.”
She said it was difficult for Mpilo to survive on the funds that are realised when people pay for admission into the hospital.
“That amount is insufficient to shoulder all the expenses incurred by the institution,” Chikerema said.
Health and Child Welfare Minister, Dr Henry Madzorera demanded questions in writing but was yet to reply at the time of going to print.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti had also set aside US$15 million in this year’s budget for the revamping of infrastructure at Harare, Mpilo and Mutare central hospitals.
BY OUR STAFF
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