Community Institution Support - Ingutsheni Bulawayo
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The Trust recently accompanied a group of Christian ladies, from various churches, on a tour of Ingutsheni Central Hospital.
What we found was shocking!
Although the foundations are strong, the cosmetic and functional mechanics of the buildings are in a sad state of disrepair and neglect.
Water pipes that should feed every block are leaking, making this one of the major challenges in the everyday function of this facility.
In a similar state are the steam pipes, which supply the whole hospital, laundry and wards.
Immediate replacement is necessary in a number of sections, as there is currently NO hot water at the height of winter! Drainage systems are not functioning properly, mainly due to solid matter blockages as there has been no toilet paper, this situation is further compounded by the lack of cleaning chemicals.
The plant and equipment, most of which has been in service for many decades such as kitchen stoves, boilers and laundry machines, is fast approaching a non-repairable state due to insufficient funds.
This is posing a serious threat to the functionality of the institution. These are some of the immediate practical problems that urgently need attention.
However, on entering the hospital, it is the human plight, that rocks you to the core!
The nursing staff are friendly and helpful, but can only do so much.
Most of the patients are barefoot and barely clothed. Their skinny arms reach out to greet you – it is hard not to notice the malnutrition and general ‘street urchin’ look.
Even so, despite this adversity, their happiness, at seeing a friendly face and helping hand, is unmasked and quite remarkable.
The Trust recently accompanied a group of Christian ladies, from various churches, on a tour of Ingutsheni Central Hospital.
What we found was shocking!
Although the foundations are strong, the cosmetic and functional mechanics of the buildings are in a sad state of disrepair and neglect.
Water pipes that should feed every block are leaking, making this one of the major challenges in the everyday function of this facility.
In a similar state are the steam pipes, which supply the whole hospital, laundry and wards.
Immediate replacement is necessary in a number of sections, as there is currently NO hot water at the height of winter! Drainage systems are not functioning properly, mainly due to solid matter blockages as there has been no toilet paper, this situation is further compounded by the lack of cleaning chemicals.
The plant and equipment, most of which has been in service for many decades such as kitchen stoves, boilers and laundry machines, is fast approaching a non-repairable state due to insufficient funds.
This is posing a serious threat to the functionality of the institution. These are some of the immediate practical problems that urgently need attention.
However, on entering the hospital, it is the human plight, that rocks you to the core!
The nursing staff are friendly and helpful, but can only do so much.
Most of the patients are barefoot and barely clothed. Their skinny arms reach out to greet you – it is hard not to notice the malnutrition and general ‘street urchin’ look.
Even so, despite this adversity, their happiness, at seeing a friendly face and helping hand, is unmasked and quite remarkable.