The Medical and Dental Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association (MDPPZA) has launched an appeal for doctors and other stakeholders to mobilise resources for two struggling mission healthcare facilities facing severe operational challenges.
The MDPPZA president, Johannes Marisa, said the association was appealing for assistance for Morgenster Hospital in Masvingo and Santa Barbara Clinic in Martindale, Chegutu, which he said were in urgent need of equipment and basic operational resources.
Morgenster Hospital, once regarded as one of Masvingo Province’s leading healthcare institutions, has reportedly come under increasing pressure following the withdrawal of donor support.
Operated in association with the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe, the healthcare facility provides general medical care, maternity services and specialised eye operations through the Masvingo province eye care programme.
Marisa said the hospital needed a wide range of supplies, including chairs, medicines, beds, bed linen and paint.
“Once a shining star and now a pale shadow of itself following the withdrawal of donors, the hospital needs virtually everything from chairs, drugs, paint, beds, sheets and more,” Marisa said.
He challenged members of the MDPPZA to use their collective strength to support the hospital and help restore its capacity to provide quality healthcare.
The association is also targeting Santa Barbara Clinic in Martindale, Chegutu, which serves communities from surrounding farms.
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According to Marisa, while the Catholic-built facility has good infrastructure, it lacks critical equipment and utilities, including reliable electricity, water, oxygen, incubators, solar power and a generator.
He said the situation presented an opportunity for doctors and the wider medical fraternity to demonstrate their commitment to communities through corporate social responsibility.
“We need to stand up and help these facilities as part of corporate social responsibility,” Marisa said.
He appealed for both financial and material donations, saying members could contribute according to their capacity.
Items sought include blood pressure monitors, furniture, generators, medicines, oxygen cylinders and incubators, among other medical equipment and supplies.
Marisa also suggested establishing a task force to coordinate the fundraising and donation drive.
“I propose the creation of a task force that can spearhead the activities. I am therefore calling for volunteers to be in the task force,” he said.
He urged members with surplus medical equipment and other useful items to consider donating them to the two facilities.
Marisa said the MDPPZA hoped to mobilise and assemble donations within two weeks, calling on interested volunteers to submit their names.
He said the initiative would also help demonstrate the medical profession’s commitment to improving healthcare beyond commercial interests.
“Let’s do it and show everyone we are not after making money as many patients believe,” he said.
The government is actively promoting public-private partnerships alongside the Ministry of Health and Child Care to expand healthcare access, modernise infrastructure and move towards universal health coverage under the National Development Strategy.
