Source: South Korean Government donates medical equipment, vehicle to BCC – herald
Mthokozisi Ncube, Zimpapers Writer
BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has received a major boost to its health service delivery capacity following the donation of a vehicle and medical equipment valued at more than US$100 000 from the Government of South Korea.
The donation was facilitated through the Korea International Co-operation Agency (Koica) in partnership with the Korea Alumni Association of Zimbabwe and is expected to significantly improve access to healthcare services, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
BCC Director of Health Services, Dr Edwin Sibanda Mzingwane, welcomed the gesture, saying it would help address some of the operational challenges facing the city’s health department.
“We are very grateful to the Government and people of South Korea, through the alumni of the Korea International University, for donating a vehicle and essential medical equipment, including auto cameras and weighing scales,” said Dr Sibanda Mzingwane.
“This support will go a long way in enhancing efficient health service delivery in the city.”
Dr Sibanda Mzingwane said the vehicle would be critical in meeting statutory health service delivery standards, particularly for outreach programmes.“In line with human services delivery standards for local authorities, residents should not walk more than five kilometres to the nearest health centre, whether static or mobile,” he said.
“The vehicle will enable us to reach remote areas during vaccination campaigns and when providing maternal and child healthcare services.”
Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu, also expressed appreciation for the donation, saying it would strengthen healthcare delivery across the city’s 21 clinics.
“The City of Bulawayo is proud to be receiving heavy medical equipment donated by the Government of South Korea, valued at approximately US$110 000,” said Clr Ndlovu.
“This equipment was officially handed over following its donation during the Korea Festival held in Bulawayo in September this year.”
Clr Ndlovu said the equipment would play a vital role in screening and monitoring patients, particularly women and children.
“Some of the equipment will be used to check hypertension, while weighing scales and scanners will assist in monitoring children’s growth,” he said.
“The impact of this donation will be felt across communities. Mothers attending clinics for routine check-ups will benefit directly, but ultimately, society as a whole stands to gain.”
Clr Ndlovu highlighted the importance of proper diagnostic equipment in maternal health care.
“For pregnant women, conditions such as high blood pressure can be life-threatening. Effective response requires the right machinery and equipment, and this donation addresses that need,” he said.The deputy mayor also noted that the donation further strengthens the long-standing bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and South Korea, which date back to Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980.
“We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to His Excellency Park Jae-Kyung, the Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea, and to the people of South Korea for their continued support to the City of Bulawayo,” said Clr Ndlovu.
The Korea Alumni Association of Zimbabwe said the donation was sourced through Koica after consultations with the city’s health department.
“They identified city health as the beneficiary, and we were requested to submit a list of priority needs, which went through several revisions before final approval,” said Clr Ndlovu.
“This is not the first time we have benefited from this partnership. In recent years, we also received delivery beds from the same organisation, specifically targeting maternal health.”
Clr Ndlovu said the latest donation underlines the importance of international partnerships in strengthening local health systems and improving service delivery at community level.
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