CONTENTS:

ZERA URGES PUBLIC HOSPITALS TO

EMULATE CCH

DEPARTMENT OF THE WEEK-TRANSPORT

CCH, ADVENTISTS IN HEALTH EXPO

CHITUNGWIZA CENTRAL HOSPITAL

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

CCH weekly is a publication of the Chitungwiza Central Hospital Chief Executive Office and Public

Relations Office designed to highlight hospital news and upcoming events.

VOL 12 ISSUE 2 13 OCTOBER 2017

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13 OCTOBER 2017 VOL 12 ISSUE 2

Editor — Audrey Tasaranarwo Associate Editors — Richmore Tera & Nyasha Chipembere

Photographers — M Ngwenya & A Tasaranarwo Design and Layout — Audrey Tasaranarwo

By Kundai Kufandirori-PR Intern

Mass Comm Harare Poly

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has urged all

public hospitals in Zimbabwe to take a leaf from Chitungwiza

Central Hospital (CCH) and attain ISO certification in order to

provide quality health service delivery in the country. ZERA finance director, Eddington Mazambani said this

after touring CCH with other staff members from the energy

regulatory authority recently. “I am quite impressed with what I have seen here to-

day. I haven’t been to this hospital in a very long time and today I

don’t even regret my visit, because it was worthwhile”, said

Mazambani. Mazambani also paid tribute to the hospital staff and

board members for striving hard to maintain the ISO certification

standard, adding that it shows public health services providers in

the country such as CCH are pacing for greater heights. The tour was facilitated by CCH operations director Mr

Washington Machiridza, who introduced the ZERA team to the E

-health pilot project at the hospital which they are using under the

SAP system. “E-health project will see the hospital going paperless

because everything will be entered into the hospital’s database,

including the patients’ details, we are waiting for His Excellency

President Robert Mugabe to commission the project,” said

Machiridza during the tour. The team toured a number of departments around the

institution including the four-star WHO-rated medical laboratory

in Zimbabwe, which is partnering with ACCUMED in order to

improve laboratory services at the hospital. ‘We operate a state-of-the-art laboratory in Zimbabwe

and we are in the process of introducing what is called interface

results, in which we are utilising the E-Health system. Once our

machines are done testing the blood or urine samples it will im-

mediately and automatically post the results to the computer”,

said Nyakuedzwa, laboratory scientist. Winnet Ngoma, who was part of the ZERA team, also

applauded the work being done at the hospital saying the

tour was really an eye-opener. ‘When Mr Machiridza and Mr Chifamba came to

ZERA to give their presentation about the hospital I thought

they were just mere glitters on paper and nothing inside to

compliment the glitter, but today I am very impressed’, said

Ngoma. Machiridza also took the opportunity to explain

about the public-private partnerships, also known as joint

venture partnerships, which were behind most of the

achievements at the hospital to make sure that standards are

well-maintained. ‘Our partners include the Balloon Flight which

works with the pharmacy in providing drugs, Accumed

which works with the laboratory, Optinova which works

with the eye clinic, Doves which works with the mortuary

department, Mahiya Trading which has a canteen and kiosk

at the hospital and Baines Imaging Group which works with

the X-ray department. All these partners are well versed with

the day-to-day running of the hospital and we really appreci-

ate them”, said the operations director. ZERA are in the process of attaining the ISO certi-

fication and said that with the experience they have gained

during the tour they were confident of achieving that goal,

said Ngwenya an internal auditor at ZERA. “With what we have seen here today, I am pretty

sure we now know which direction to take, we have already

done our internal audits and external audits will be done very

soon so we will to continue work with the hospital,” she said. This is not the first time the energy regulator has

visited the hospital this year, as a few months ago ZERA

came with a plan to help the hospital to install a solar power

plant, which will supply electricity for the institution and

surrounding areas. This tour was organised in order for ZERA to have

an practical appreciation of operations at CCH revolving

around ISO certification.

ZERA URGES PUBLIC HOSPITALS TO EMULATE CCH

ZERA Consumer services officer Flora Ngwenya chatting to CCH

Operations Director Washington Machiridza during the hospital

tour

CCH deputy matron D Chairuka with ZERA officials

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13 OCTOBER 2017 VOL 12 ISSUE 2

By Michael Ngwenya– PR Intern

Sociology GUZ CHITUNGWIZA Central Hospital (CCH)’s transport de-

partment stands out as one of the most crucial departments

at the institution and it is responsible for the transportation

of patients to and from the hospital, collection of vital

pharmaceuticals from Natpharm and other institutions as

well as the carrying out of other duties as assigned.

The department, which falls under the Operations

Division and has a staff compliment of 15 drivers, is head-

ed by a young man who holds an International Diploma

with The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transports

(C.I.L.T-UK).

“Our primary mission is to ensure the availability

and reliability of transport as an essential logistic for the

delivery of health services; and to do this in the most cost

effective and efficient manner,” said Mr Decide Mapu-

ranga, who heads the department.

Mr Mapuranga said he starts the day by route

planning and scheduling. He then allocates vehicles to the

drivers. He went on to explain that staff in his department

have five Ordinary Levels while others are holders of Ad-

vanced Level certificates.

“As an institution we are proud of our highly

qualified drivers who do not have to try to evade police

roadblocks due to lack of qualifications,” added Mr Mapu-

ranga.

The transport department is key to the institution

although it faces various challenges that can bring business

at the institution to a standstill had it not been for the for-

ward-thinking approach of management at the hospital

who always ensure that the wheels are always rolling. The

department is also responsible for ferrying hospital staff to

various official destinations.

The general roles of transport in the service are

outlined as follows:

• Patient Transportation (Transfers and Pre-Hospital

Care)

• Monitoring and supervision of staff especially stu-

dents who are community secondment in rural areas.

• Haulage of medical logistics such as drugs, equip-

ment and blood products, among others.

• Specialist Outreach Services which include conduct-

ing free medical consultation and covering state occa-

sions.

• General administrative assignments like the delivery

of letters and other important documents.

Some drivers have Class 2 drivers’ licences

and others first class. All drivers are ambulance techni-

cians trained by MARS and City of Harare. CCH is

fortunate enough to have three state accredited drivers

that take part in state duties. Surely this brings out why

CCH is the only I.S.O certified public hospital for eve-

rything associated with this institution is of great quali-

ty. These three drivers, Mr Abel Panganai, Mr Tapiwa

Kunonga and Mr Robson Mutsau are assigned for state

occasions such as conferences, burial of heroes, sports

and local events. They have gone as far as Chimoio in

Mozambique, Kariba and Victoria Falls.These drivers

were chosen because of their commitment and hard

work.

The Transport department also has challenges

like the shortage of vehicles. The few that they have

exceeded their lifespan and some of the vehicles are

held in garages due to unsettled debts but this however

does not hinder the loyal drivers in this department

from performing their required duties.

DEPARTMENT OF THE WEEK-TRANSPORT

CCH drivers from left M Mukuya & T Kunonga

CHITUNGWIZA CENTRAL HOSPITAL

NURSES GRADUATION & PRIZE

GIVING DAY which was scheduled for 13

October has been deferred to 27 October

2017.

Venue: Chitungwiza Central Hospital

Time : 0800hrs

Contact Public Relations Office on cell

077412811 or land line 0270-31138 or

31843

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13 OCTOBER 2017 VOL 12 ISSUE 2

TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT STAFF

From left CCH drivers T Samhere, M Matasva, A Panganai & D

Taderera

CCH drivers Maxwel Mukuya (left) & Abel Panganai

(right) CCH driver I Kamuche

One of CCH drivers Robson Mutsau

CCH HOD Transport

Department Mr D Mapuranga

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13 OCTOBER 2017 VOL 12 ISSUE 2

By Richmore Tera -Associate Editor

“HEALTH by choice not by chance” was the theme of the

day when Seke Central Adventist Church recently held a

health expo which saw members of the church and the com-

munity receiving free medical services.

A brainchild of the church’s health department, in

conjunction with Chitungwiza Central Hospital (CCH) the

expo was also part of the health institution’s social and com-

munity responsibility drive to raise awareness on health issues

which affect people mainly in the areas of HIV/Aids, diabe-

tes, hypertension, water and sanitation as well as nutrition,

among others.

There were various stations which dealt with these

key areas of health, with HIV counsellors drawn from CCH

offering free HIV testing and counselling services to the peo-

ple who were gathered for the event.

The Diabetes Association of Zimbabwe was also in

attendance offering people free consultation, screening and

other services.

“The aim of this outreach was to cater for those peo-

ple who can’t afford to pay for consultation fees at Chi-

tungwiza Central Hospital or any other hospitals or health

institutions.

“This is our third year running such a programme

for both our church members as well as members of the com-

munities and we are happy that the numbers of the people

who are coming to seek the services keep on increasing which

is a sign that people are in need of such services,” said Elder

Gideon Mapokotera, who is also the Senior Coordinating

Officer in the Office of the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Oba-

diah Moyo at CCH.

Trainee Clinical Officer at the same institution,

Pikai Mandove, commended the Seventh Day Adventists for

coming up with the health expo which he said helped the less-

privileged members of the community.

“We were invited to assist the underprivileged mem-

bers of community with free general consultation, especially

to those people who can’t afford consultation fees. Most of

them we ended up referring to the hospital while those with

complicated or serious cases of hypertension we encour-

aged them to adhere to their medication depending on their

condition,” Mandove explained.

A beneficiary, Mr Admire Mlilo (46), commend-

ed the move by the church to host the health expo which he

said was a step in the right direction. Mlilo urged other

churches to take a leaf from the precedence set by the

Adventists.

“It is indeed a commendable and worthy cause

when the church goes out of its way to dispense tangible

things such as tablets to the sick. I was involved in a road

accident and I am in pain but thanks to the gesture by the

Seventh Day Adventists, I received pain-killers free of

charge. May other churches emulate this good gesture,”

Mlilo said.

Marian Gaba-Gwatidzo who mounted the water

and sanitation section said they were out to disseminate

information on the importance of water in terms of ablu-

tion, sanitation and health facilities.

Gwatidzo, who is the Communications Director

at the church, said water was important in a person’s

health, adding that it helped in relieving headaches, flues

while at the same time doing away with germs and enhanc-

ing the dermatological aspects if the skin.

CCH Public Relations Officer, Mrs Audrey Tasa-

ranarwo, who is also an Adventist in her own right, com-

mended the health expo, saying more and more of these

should be held often.

“It is a good outreach since it raises awareness

among both members of the church as well as the commu-

nity. Actually, this programme complements our efforts as

a hospital to spread health issues among people,” she ex-

plained.

This is not the first time that CCH has been in-

volved in such community outreaches with the Seventh

Day Adventist Church. They have been doing it for a long

time now.

CCH, ADVENTISTS IN HEALTH EXPO

CCH counselors attending to a client

CCH staff who are also Adventists PRO A Tasaranarwo,

Lab secretary O Dzingai & Coodinating officer in CEO’s

officer G Mapokotera (Head Church Elder)

CHITUNGWIZA CENTRAL HOSPITAL

1. STATUS

We are a Government Hospital providing a Five Star Healthcare service for the benefit

of the socially disadvantaged.

2. FEES

Government rates: Consultation - $10

Procedures - Approved Government rates.

3. COMPLAINTS HANDLING

Open Door Policy:-

- the Chief Executive Officer’s Office awaits to assist you NOW.

- Bring your complains forward without any fear.

- Don't be intimidated by any member of staff.

Contact:-

Public Relations Officer: Mrs. A Tasaranarwo

Mobile: - 0774 120 811

Landlines: - (0270) 31843 / 31138 / 38150

Or

Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Obadiah Moyo

Mobile: - 0772 419 889

Direct Line: - (0270) 30917

The first hospital to be ISO certified in Zimbabwe on the 28th of March 2008.