For first-time mother Mrs Junior Dhliwayo Murehwa, her
month-old twins were a double blessing, but like a gift that keeps giving, her
boys yesterday charmed President Mnangagwa who gave the family a present of
US$400. Mrs Dhliwayo Murehwa, from Triangle, has been at Parirenyatwa Group of
Hospitals since she gave birth to Anotida and Anashe on January 6.
One of the boys is in a nursery because of low birth
weight, forcing the mother to remain holed up in Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Ward
at the country’s largest referral hospital.
Faced with medical expenses and other related costs, the
monthly National Environment Cleaning Day came to Mrs Dhliwayo’s rescue.
President Mnangagwa visited the hospital yesterday to take
part in the clean-up and after planting two indigenous trees and doing some
cleaning at the hospital, he headed for the maternity ward.
His first port of call was Mrs Dhliwayo Murehwa’s bed where
he congratulated the young mother.
After sharing a few jokes with her, President Mnangagwa
handed over US$400 to Mrs Dhliwayo who did not expect the princely gesture.
The first-time mother said she was stunned by the
President’s compassion. “These are my first children and never expected this,”
she told The Herald.
“This is a double blessing to me, first to have the twins
and secondly meeting the President who then hands over a lot of money to me, in
cash for that matter. I think the boys are blessed and the future is bright for
them.”
She added: “I have been here since January 6 and the money
will be put to good use. I have a lot of things to cover and I thank the
President for such a gesture.”
President Mnangagwa’s benevolence did not end with Mrs
Dhliwayo Murehwa as he also handed another US$100 to Mrs Lacey Mbaluku who had
a stillbirth.
Visibly in pain, Mrs Mbaluku said: “The baby could not make
it, but I am thankful to the President for this gesture.”
Addressing people and stakeholders who had gathered for the
clean-up, President Mnangagwa said the Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Ward needed
refurbishment.
“We came here and I know you have cleaned everywhere but I
entered into Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Ward and discovered that it needs a lot of
refurbishment,” he said.
“A lot needs attention from the floors, walls, windows.
They are dilapidated and need to be spruced up. Even the beds where I saw the
mothers and their babies on need attention. The bed linen needs to be changed.
If what I saw is an area which was prepared for the President what more those
wards and areas I did not visit?”
He went on: “We have to sit down with the Minister of
Health and Child Care (Obadiah Moyo). “Government cannot go it alone, we need
support from other stakeholders. If we apply our minds to it, this will be
sorted out.”
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