Source: 10 ambulances, fuel boost for health sector – herald
Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to ensuring every health facility in the country is properly resourced so that all Zimbabweans, including those in remote areas, can access quality care.
Addressing journalists after handing over a fleet of fully equipped ambulances and 200 000 litres of diesel to the Ministry of Health and Child Care at State House in Harare yesterday, the President said the Second Republic is hands‑on in its efforts to leave no one and no place behind.
“We want to ensure that every ward and district in our country has adequate resources and facilities. Because it’s a question of making sure that necessary resources are availed and this handover is the start of ensuring it,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said his administration will deliver the necessary resources to equip health facilities whenever called upon.
“We want to ensure that every ward and district in our country has adequate resources and facilities. Because it’s a question of making sure that necessary resources are availed and this handover is the start of ensuring it,” he said.
He added that, as a listening leader who maintains an open‑door policy, he welcomes approaches from relevant ministries, departments and agencies.
“So we want the Minister of Health to keep on giving us pressure to give them the adequate resources so that there is no area in this country that does not have the requisite resources and facilities. We wait to hear from the doctors, what they say they want, we will deliver,” said President Mnangagwa.
Writing on his official X handle, the President said the capacity‑building effort would ensure that the vital life‑saving units can be deployed effectively and kept running over the long term.
The ambulances were donated by businessman and philanthropist Mr Wicknell Chivhayo.
Mr Wicknell Chivhayo
“This morning at State House, I had the distinct pleasure of receiving a generous donation of 10 brand new, state-of-the-art ambulances equipped with the latest medical technologies, including respirators, oxygen delivery systems, defibrillators and advanced patient monitoring units.
“These ambulances were formally handed over to the Minister of Health and Child Care for onward distribution across all provinces to strengthen emergency response capacity and improve access to critical healthcare services.
“In addition, I handed over 200 000 litres of diesel, which will directly support the effective deployment and sustained operation of these life-saving units,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the handover had been made possible through the generosity of businessman and philanthropist Mr Wicknell Chivhayo.
He described Mr Chivhayo as an “astute and maverick young businessman, who has a golden heart and continues to tirelessly support various key Government programmes under Vision 2030, which is anchored on modern healthcare systems that leave ‘No one and No place behind’.”
The President extended his appreciation to Mr Chivhayo, saying his gesture exemplifies the critical role of the private sector in complementing Government’s efforts to deliver quality health services.
“Such partnerships between Government and indigenous businesses reaffirm my administration’s mantra that ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’ and I urge other businesspeople within the private sector to emulate this gesture and exemplary conduct.”
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said the consignment would aid in improving health service delivery.
“These ambulances are strong and we will take them to the most remote areas where they will effectively serve communities . . . All workers want to have the necessary resources and facilities in their workspace, so we hope that this initiative will also improve their morale,” said Dr Mombeshora.
“You have all seen what the President has done for us today. This will go a long way in ensuring that we discharge our duties diligently and that the sick are quickly ferried to health institutions. People are passing away because of lack of such ambulances, so this will go a long way and has shown that our President is indeed a listening leader,” he said.
Dr Mombeshora said he had apprised the President of his ministry’s target of acquiring 10 ambulances each year, and yesterday’s handover was the perfect start.
“Last year he gave us 10, and today he gave us another 10 as well as the fuel which we will give to the provinces.”
The Health Minister expressed gratitude, adding that the fleet would serve even the most remote areas.
He also noted that health professionals would be adequately resourced to ensure proper service delivery.
“These ambulances are strong and we will take them to the most remote areas where they will effectively serve communities . . . All workers want to have the necessary resources and facilities in their workspace, so we hope that this initiative will also improve their morale,” said Dr Mombeshora.
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