Old Mutual Zimbabwe hands over refurbished doctors’ call rooms at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital
ROBIN PHIRI
Old Mutual Zimbabwe has reaffirmed its commitment to community well-being and healthcare support through the refurbishment of five doctors’ call rooms at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital’s Children’s Unit, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Harare West and National Carpets.
The initiative seeks to create a more comfortable and dignified working environment for doctors who provide round-the-clock care to children at the hospital.
The refurbished facilities now feature new beds, reading desks and chairs, linen and blankets, cupboards, fans, microwave ovens, and kitchenware — transforming what were previously austere rooms into modern, functional rest spaces.
The project was inspired by a 2023 appeal by the Rotary Club of Harare West, which sought corporate partners to help improve working conditions at the hospital. Old Mutual Zimbabwe said the collaboration illustrates how private sector–civic partnerships can help bridge critical service delivery gaps in the public sector.
Speaking during the handover ceremony on Tuesday, Old Mutual Zimbabwe’s Marketing, Public Affairs and Sustainability Executive, Lillian Mbayiwa, said the company was moved to intervene after learning about the difficult working conditions faced by doctors at the children’s hospital.
“We were also moved to learn that, during night shifts, usually five doctors are on call, caring for young patients and ensuring that every child receives the attention they need,” said Mbayiwa. “Between these long and demanding shifts, doctors had no proper place to rest. Some were using patients’ beds and linen just to get a few minutes of sleep, while others sometimes had to find places to rest outside the hospital. Hearing this, we knew we had to step in and help. That is why Old Mutual Zimbabwe chose to support the renovation of five doctors’ call rooms — to create safe, comfortable, and dignified spaces where our doctors can rest and recharge.”
She added that the company’s community investment philosophy is anchored on the belief that social sustainability starts with improving the welfare of those who serve others.
“We believe that true sustainability begins with investing in the communities where we operate,” Mbayiwa said. “When doctors are empowered and their working conditions are improved, it results in better care for children and a stronger health system for the future.”
Director of Clinical Services at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Dr. Harunavamwe Chifamba, commended the partnership, saying the refurbished rooms would significantly uplift the morale of the hospital’s medical staff.
“They have refurbished our call rooms where our doctors, who are on call and in between shifts, can rest,” said Dr. Chifamba. “This will empower our doctors and give them a comfortable space to wind down so that they can return to their duties refreshed. We hope this will boost morale and motivate our staff as they continue their hard work.”
