FORMER MP RESUSCITATES TWO CRITICAL MORTUARIES

By Correspondent

In a show of respect for the dead, at the same time exhibiting philanthropic work, a former opposition MP now a ZANU PF member, has joined hands with two rural health institutions in Mhondoro-Ngezi, to renovate mortuaries at health facilities in the district.
Former Kadoma Central Constituency MP and once mayor of the city, Muchineripi Chinyanganya has deployed about US$2000 in funds to resuscitate Ngezi Rural Hospital Mortuary which had not worked for two and a half decades and St Michael’s Hospital Mortuary which was idle for half a decade. These institutions had been in no use condition all this long. After realizing this gap, former MP Chinyanganya made a bold decision to bring life back the mortuaries.
The resuscitation of the former mortuary, Ngezi, has gobbled US$1 200 while the latter, St Michael’s, cost US$700.
Both mortuaries serve as central health service provision posts in Mhondoro-Ngezi rural settings. They serve on average 10 bodies in terms of capacity.
Former MP Chinyanganya is a previous CCC opposition party member who has since crossed the political floor to ruling ZANU PF party.
A view from his floor crossing says, “The opposition has nothing to offer. I found there is more to ZANU PF than what meets the eye. I made a bold decision to join a party which brings so much promise for the populace.”
In a statement on the resuscitation, the humble former MP said.
“The rehabilitation of the mortuaries will significantly benefit the Mhondoro-Ngezi community by restoring an essential health service that has been unavailable for more than 20 years. A functional mortuary will provide dignified preservation of the deceased, reduce transportation and storage costs for bereaved families, improve public health standards, and strengthen healthcare service delivery in the area. Before this the deceased had to be transported to Turf, a distance of more than 90km from the furthest point. In most cases, the deceased would be buried in decomposition state due to lack of funds to take the bodies to the Turf mortuary. This intervention will enhance the well-being of the community and ensure that residents have access to a critical facility close to home.”
The institutions are highly appreciative of this development as it has brought relief on their social service mandate. One senior nurse at Ngezi Rural District Hospital, Happiness Mataruse views this as a critical intervention to help improve provision of essential services in their rural setting.
“The resuscitation of the mortuary has greatly improved our ability to provide essential healthcare services. The facility ensures the safe and dignified preservation of human remains, enhances public health standards, and reduces the burden on both healthcare workers and community members who previously had to rely on distant facilities.”
Members of the community have appreciated the move as a step in the right direction as it eases challenges that they faced in the aftermath of the demise of their kith and kin. The absence of a mortuary had forced the community members to seek private services which are normally beyond the reach of many or other alternatives posing some bottlenecks in preserving the decency of their dead relatives and friends.
“The rehabilitation of the Ngezi Rural Hospital mortuary is a welcome development for our community. For many years, families have faced challenges and additional costs in transporting deceased relatives to Turf, that is those who have funeral policies. Those without had to bury their loved ones within 24 hours to avoid decomposition. The restored mortuary will provide convenience, dignity, and relief to bereaved families during difficult times.” commented Lot Mushambi, Ward 3B resident.
The resuscitation of these two rural mortuaries is in line with the government mantra under President ED Mnangagwa for inclusion under the policy to ‘Leave No-One and No Place Behind’.