Martin Muleya
MUTARE-The wards at Victoria Chitepo hospital are quieter today, but not because there are fewer patients. It is because for the forts time in years, patients are not waiting on the floor for a place to rest.
Delta Beverages through its corporate responsibility program yesterday, handed over 100 state-of-the-art hospital beds, a move staff said will immediately change how care is delivered at the provincial referral hospital.
The donation comes after the company’s National Castle Lager Brand milestone celebration, which drew support from all the ten provinces.
“On behalf of Delta Beverages’ Lager beer business we are pleased to be at Victoria Chitepo hospital to fulfill a commitment made through our flagship brand, Castle Lager, during our tenth anniversary celebration of the National Castle Lager Brand day, namely to give back meaningfully to the ten provinces that participated and made our milestone celebration a success.
“We pledged to donate 100 state-of-the-art hospital beds which will be distributed across the ten provinces of the country. Delta Beverages remain committed to supporting national development and investing to the well-being of the communities that form the foundation of our success. We truly believe that this donation is a fitting way to show our appreciation to the communities we serve while also playing a part in supporting and advancing public health care,” said Delta Beverages Regional Sales Manager Julius Chirara.
He added that the donation was a deliberate way for the company to show appreciation while playing its part in advancing health care.
Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, is the main referral centre for a province of over 1.8 million people. For years, bed shortages forced nurses to improvise. Patients recovering from surgery, mothers in the maternity ward waited on benches and emergency cases were delayed while staff searched for free space.
Dr. Hillary Makiwa, the hospital medical superintendent reiterated that the impact was immediate.
“Today, we can admit patients faster, discharge them with dignity. These 100 beds mean we can open up space in our wards and give each patient the care they deserve,” he said.
The donation does more than solve an immediate shortage. It gives the hospital room to plan. With 100 additional beds in use, Victoria Chitepo can reduce its patient backlog, shorten waiting times and create space for specialist care that previously had to be deferred.
For communities in Chimanimani, Chipinge, Mutare Rural, Mutasa, Makoni and Nyanga, it means faster referrals and fewer cases being sent back due to lack of space.
Delta Beverages’ commitment also signals a broader role for the private sector in strengthening public health infrastructure.
As the new beds were rolled into the wards yesterday, patients and staff alike saw what investment looks like in practice; dignity, comfort and a hospital better equipped to serve the province.
