Tuesday, 7 February 2017

Masvingo General Hospital renal unit equipment stolen


…. Five hospital staff, Makurira Clinic under investigation

Itai Muzondo
Renal Unit equipment donated to Masvingo General Hospital by the Zim - Chinese Project last year has been stolen.
The renal unit, situated close to the female medical ward, lost its dialysis circulation pump, float switch and Ultra Violate (UV) light in a daring grand theft that implicates corrupt officials.
Masvingo Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Dr Amadeus Shamu confirmed the development and said they have since reported the matter to the police.
"Three equipment parts are missing from the unit and we are not yet sure if they were stolen or not. The matter has been reported to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and they are helping us with investigations. We are not sure when investigations will be finished but the issue is being swiftly taken care of. I cannot state the cost of the missing equipment since it was donated," Dr Shamu said.
The equipment went missing during the festive holidays and it was only realised a fortnight ago.
Sources said the equipment was yet to be commissioned and its disappearance has caused immense jitters, with Human Resource Officer; Shadreck Zangairai assigning an investigating team to probe the circumstances behind the theft.
A four-man investigating team comprising Micheal Chirenje, Tafadzwa Chikombingo, Humphrey Chimedza and a Makuze is understood to have discreetly visited Makurira Memorial Clinic after suspicions were raised that equipment used to build the private clinic's own renal unit could have been stolen from Masvingo General Hospital.
A source in the investigative team said they were eager to find out the paperwork of the equipment at Makurira clinic.
"We went to Makurira Memorial Clinic where we saw one Sithole and questioned him where they got equipment for their renal unit. We actually wanted to find out whether they have paper work for the imported equipment so that we could remove them from our list of suspects but Sithole was not open enough," said the source.
Upon hearing the incident, Dr Shamu quickly assigned his investigating team led by Public Health Services Administrator; Never Chingosho.
Other suspects who are being questioned by the PMD's office in connection with the matter are understood to be Hospital Administrator; David Sithole, Human Resources Officer Zangairai, Chief Hospital Equipment Maintenance officer Micheal Chirenje and his assistants, Mortuary Attendant Kandson Dube and Senior Hand Masepa Jenika.

'Drunk' doc in trouble over botched operation


Itai Muzondo
A Gutu Mission Hospital medical doctor, Henry Harry Mushuku is in soup after conducting a cesarean session allegedly under the influence of alcohol resulting in Locadia Mbinda's death two weeks ago.
Gutu District Medical Officer (DMO); Dr Tapiwa Mupepe confirmed there was a death of a mother due to what he called 'delivery complications' but referred all questions to Masvingo Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Dr Amadeus Shamu.
Dr Shamu, however, confirmed that a woman had died under cloudy circumstances and that Dr Mushuku was under investigations.
"We have heard of the issue though I cannot disclose much as of now since investigations are still underway. I will be in a position to give further details and action to take when the investigations are over," said Dr Shamu.
When contacted for comment, Dr Mushuku professed ignorance over the matter and threatened to kill this reporter.
"Ndiwe wakafa here iwe? Wakafa ihama yako? Manje rega ndikuudze unofira mahara chinyora nyaya yacho tigoona. Unofira mahara mufana (Are you the one who died from the botched operation? Are you related to the deceased? Anyway, go ahead and write your story and see what will happen)," said Dr Mushuku.
Mbinda's baby boy however, survived the operation. She has since been laid to rest in Masvingamashava under Chief Nhema in Zaka.