By
Simelokuhle
Nyathi
The
Board
for
World
Missions,
a
key
arm
of
the
Brethren
in
Christ
Church,
raises
funds
to
support
various
church
departments,
while
Friends
of
Mtshabezi
is
a
local
community-based
group
dedicated
to
improving
services
at
the
hospital.
Hospital
administrator
Rich
Ndlovu
welcomed
the
donation,
describing
it
as
timely.
“This
ambulance
has
come
at
the
right
time.
Our
old
ambulance,
bought
in
2002,
had
become
unreliable,
costly,
and
frequently
broke
down.
This
created
serious
challenges
in
transporting
patients
safely
to
and
from
the
hospital
and
referral
centres,”
Ndlovu
said.
He
explained
that
the
new
ambulance
will
improve
patient
transfers
to
referral
hospitals
in
Gwanda
and
Bulawayo,
as
well
as
serve
nine
surrounding
clinics.
“The
ambulance
will
save
lives
by
reducing
delays
during
emergencies,
cut
down
costs
caused
by
repeated
breakdowns
of
the
old
vehicle,
and
build
trust
and
confidence
between
the
hospital
and
the
community
we
serve,”
he
said.
The
ambulance
is
also
fitted
with
a
tracking
device
to
ensure
proper
monitoring
and
accountability.
“We
thank
our
partners
for
this
generous
gift.
This
ambulance
is
not
just
a
vehicle,
it
is
a
lifeline
for
our
patients,
our
hospital,
and
the
community,”
Ndlovu
added.
Community
members
said
the
donation
has
strengthened
their
trust
in
the
hospital’s
ability
to
respond
to
emergencies.
“We
now
feel
confident
in
the
hospital’s
ability
to
provide
quality
care
during
emergencies,”
said
one
resident.
Locals
added
that
the
ambulance
would
particularly
benefit
vulnerable
groups,
including
pregnant
women,
children,
the
elderly
and
people
living
with
disabilities.