STAFF WRITER
Harare– Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe has donated an autoclave machine worth US$20 000 to Ingutsheni Hospital in Bulawayo in line with its quest to contribute towards top level healthcare standards for key health institutions in the country.
The Standard Bank Group subsidiary also constructed a room for the autoclave to be housed at a cost of US$15 500.
Speaking at the handover event, Stanbic Bank Chairman, Muchakanakirwa Mkanganwi said the bank was proud to be associated with Ingutsheni Hospital because of its history of serving Zimbabwe with dedication for over a century.
Mkanganwi said it was fitting that the health institution receives the autoclave machine as it will contribute significantly to achieving top level health control standards through the sterilisation of equipment and infection and germ control.
“Stanbic Bank is proud to be associated with the largest psychiatric hospital in Zimbabwe with over 700 beds, located in the City of Kings, Bulawayo. This donation forms part of our ongoing commitment to support national development priorities, in alignment with the National Health Strategy and the Government’s drive to improve access to quality healthcare,” said Mkanganwi.
He said the initiative to donate autoclave machines is targeted at strengthening the healthcare infrastructure countrywide and has also benefitted Parirenyatwa, Sally Mugabe and Victoria Chitepo hospitals at a combined cost of US$80 000 for them to continue to operate efficiently.
Mkanganwi said the initiative also reflects the values of Stanbic Bank’s parent company, the Standard Bank Group, which places strong emphasis on creating long-term, meaningful impact in the markets it serves.
“This handover is not an isolated act. It is part of a broader investment in public health infrastructure. We recognise that a healthy population is foundational to national productivity, and we stand ready to continue collaborating with public institutions in pursuit of this goal,” said Mkanganwi.
Stanbic Bank Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), Betty Murambadoro said the bank was pleased to give a helping hand to such a critical health institution adding that Ingutsheni was more than a hospital, but a place of hope and healing, especially for some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
Murambadoro commended the work being done at Ingutsheni saying the institution deserved to receive the autoclave machine as it would play a vital role in contributing to improving hygiene and infection control — and by extension, the overall quality of care provided here.
“But beyond the donation itself, what we’re truly handing over is a message of solidarity and compassion. This gesture is rooted in Stanbic Bank’s belief that no one should be left behind, especially when it comes to healthcare,” said Murambadoro.
She said Stanbic Bank was especially pleased to have gone out of its way to ensure that the machine was installed in an environment that guarantees its safe and effective use for many years to come.
Murambadoro hoped that the machine brings practical support in addition to bringing encouragement to all stakeholders aligned to Ingutsheni safe in the knowledge that their tireless work is seen, appreciated, and supported.
“As Stanbic Bank, our Corporate Social Investment (CSI) strategy is not just a corporate checklist — it is a living expression of our purpose: Zimbabwe is our home. We drive her growth. From health and education to the environment and sports, our CSI work reaches across Zimbabwe — and today, that journey brings us here, to Bulawayo, to stand with the healthcare heroes at Ingutsheni,” said Murambadoro.
Ingutsheni Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nemache Mawere applauded Stanbic Bank for the donation, saying the machine is instrumental in not only upholding top level health standards but would go a long way in making it a “modern hospital” again.
“Ingutsheni hospital has always been like a big rural hospital with very little infrastructure development that shows it is a modern hospital so the coming in of this autoclave machine and the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) department which we are going to be opening is actually a welcome thing which is actually moving us forward, away from being just a big rural hospital which has no infrastructure,” said Dr Mawere.
