Stanbic kick-starts major health services initiative

STANBIC Bank Zimbabwe launched a Corporate Social Investment Flagship project, which debuted at the handover of the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe half-way house known as Tariro Hostel held recently.

Stanbic Board member Valentine Mushayakarara addressing participants

Usizo – Ruyamuro is the flagship project name for the Financial Institution’s health-related initiatives, which seeks to help, support and facilitate the growth and sustainable development of public health services in Zimbabwe.

To kick-start,  Usizo – Ruyamuro Stanbic Bank refurbished and purchased bed linen and other utilities for the Hostel which provides rent-free accommodation for cancer patients who do not stay in Harare when they come for their chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments at Parirenyatwa Hospital and Harare Central Hospital.

Established in 1974 by CAZ, Tariro Hostel has been lying idle since 2007 as it succumbed to the then harsh economic environment. The 40-bed hostel stopped housing cancer patients up until the intervention of Stanbic Bank and other health-conscious institutions who pooled resources to refurbish and furnish the Hostel.

Stanbic Bank’s relationship with the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe spans over 7 years as the financial institution has been providing funds to purchase medicines for underprivileged cancer patients.

Over and above refurbishing the entire structure, the Bank donatedthree (3) solar geysers, 32 beds; 32 mattresses; 35 blankets; 35 sets of bedsheets; 32 pillows and covers as well as 32 bedcovers for the previously dilapidated Hostel.

Speaking at the event, Stanbic Bank non-executive Director, Mr. Valentine Mushayakarara said Usizo – Ruyamuro will bring together different local and international entities who seek to contribute towards the support of Zimbabwean hospitals and clinics with a view to providing material and non-material support to Zimbabwe’s healthcare facilities for the benefit of the ordinary citizen.

“The Cancer Association of Zimbabwe’s Tariro Hostel we are gathered to officially re-open today was refurbished and furnished under Usizo – Ruyamuro and is the first project to be completed under this initiative. I am pleased to advise that it is the first of many and we look forward to accomplishing even greater feats with you all, together as one,” said Mushayakarara.

He said Stanbic Bank looked forward to working with the government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care as well as the support and contributions of various corporations in the diverse sectors of the countryunder the Usizo – Ruyamuro initiative.

He acknowledged that people suffering from different illnesses face insurmountable challenges as they seek assistance from the country’s hospitals and clinics and this propelled Stanbic to not only refurbish Tariro Hostel but establish Usizo – Ruyamuro.

Mushayakarara said the situation calls for different organizations to chip in to try and remedy because public healthcare is everyone’s responsibility and Stanbic Bank is all too aware that together Zimbabweans from across all sectors can ensure access to quality healthcare services in hospitals.

The refurbishment exercise was done in partnership with a variety of players demonstrating that teamwork and unity of purpose yield greater results. These include Zim Health, Think Pink Golf Team, Rank Wholesalers, DSV, and Nancy Haven Foundation.

Tariro Hostel

The launch of Usizo – Ruyamuro comes as the country’s health delivery system is facing many challenges, with doctors struggling to serve patients due to many different factors including lack of functional equipment and medical supplies.

In a speech read on his behalf, Minister of Health and Child Care, Hon Obadiah Moyo commended Stanbic Bank and its partners for the unity of purpose in meeting the needs of cancer patients.

“This is a mammoth task that the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe could not accomplish alone, but your unity of purpose culminated into this historic event,” said Moyo.

He said as the burden of cancer continues to rise in Zimbabwe, the demand for accommodation by rural cancer patients is also increasing rapidly thus the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe is inundated with patients looking for accommodation while receiving treatment in Harare.

“The reopening of Tariro Hostel comes as a relief to many cancer patients from rural Zimbabwe who are failing to secure decent accommodation whilst receiving treatment in Harare”, he said.