BY SAMUEL NJINGA
In a compassionate response to the biting winter chill and growing challenges at one of the country’s largest psychiatric institutions, Old Mutual Zimbabwe has donated 200 blankets to Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital as part of its broader initiative to support under-resourced health institutions across the country.
The donation, made through the insurer’s Masvingo branch, is part of a nationwide drive to distribute 2 000 blankets to hospitals struggling with critical shortages of bedding and other basic necessities. The gesture comes at a time when winter temperatures in Masvingo have plummeted to as low as 4°C, endangering the lives of vulnerable psychiatric patients.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at Ngomahuru last week, Masvingo Old Mutual Branch Manager Susanne Chinyaka reaffirmed the company’s commitment to community well-being.
“We believe that communities are the foundation of our business, and we passionately support them in different ways,” said Chinyaka. “We are here to serve and to stand with our communities through every life moment hence this small gesture.”
For Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital, which is home to nearly 200 patients, the donation could not have come at a more critical time.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Parirenyatwa Maramba said the facility has long been grappling with a severe shortage of basic supplies, including blankets and beds. Some patients are forced to sleep on the floor, with minimal insulation from the cold.
“Winter is at its peak, and our patients have been suffering from colds,” Dr. Maramba said. “This donation will make a huge difference. Every blanket we receive is potentially a life saved.”
Hospital records show that cases of pneumonia and flu-related complications spike during the winter months, often leading to fatalities, particularly among frail and elderly patients. Most of the hospital’s residents come from poor backgrounds and cannot afford to pay for their care, leaving the institution largely dependent on government allocations and donations from well-wishers.
In a bid to improve revenue and ease pressure on public resources, Ngomahuru recently introduced a private ward for patients who can afford to pay for their stay, an initiative the hospital hopes will help sustain its operations in the long term. However, hospital management acknowledges that this strategy is only a stopgap measure, as the majority of patients continue to rely entirely on state and donor support.
“While the private ward is a step in the right direction, it’s not enough to meet the overwhelming needs we face daily,” Dr. Maramba added. “We continue to appeal to the corporate sector, churches, and individuals to partner with us in restoring dignity and proper care for our patients.”
Ngomahuru’s plight mirrors the broader state of mental health services in Zimbabwe, which have for years suffered from chronic underfunding and societal neglect. Mental health professionals have repeatedly called for more investment in infrastructure, medication, staff training, and public education to address growing cases of psychiatric disorders exacerbated by economic hardships, substance abuse, and trauma.
Old Mutual’s intervention has thus been widely praised as a practical show of corporate empathy and social accountability.
“We urge other business players to follow suit and remember those institutions often overlooked,” said Brian Munaki, a Principal Counselling and Clinical Psychologist-Mind Care Zimbabwe. “Support like this goes a long way in saving lives and showing that mental health matters.”
As the cold season persists, Ngomahuru’s staff say the 200 blankets will bring immediate relief to patients who had been facing the harsh winter with little protection. But the need remains great.
“We are deeply grateful for Old Mutual’s gesture,” said one of the community villagers. “But this should be the beginning of a broader conversation about mental health care support in Zimbabwe. These patients deserve comfort, dignity, and warmth just like anyone else.”
The donation forms part of Old Mutual Zimbabwe’s wider Corporate Social Responsibility programme, which this year has focused on enhancing public health resilience, especially in remote and underfunded institutions.
As the company continues to roll out its blanket donation campaign to other provinces, it has set a tone for inclusive support, reminding the nation that even small contributions can have profound impact especially where they are most needed.