Makonde in Crisis

The Makonde Christian Hospital, which has been supported by the Chidamoyo Christian Hospital, has been forced to close. It is now functioning only as a clinic.
At the beginning of 2001, when the hospital was founded, there were approximately 5O large commercial farms in the area, each employing over 500 workers. Farmers undertook to support the hospital with food and money. However they began to experience intimidation and violence pressurising them to give up their land so that indigenous people could resettle it. By 2003 there were less than 10 commercial farmers left on their land out of 50, and there was no money or food items being given by the farmers.

People were resettled into the area—suddenly raising the population being served by the hospital from 50,000 to over 500,000 people. There is very little paid employment and many people in the area face severe hardships such as lack of water and food shortages. Government clinics are doing less work because of lack of money and supplies.

The Makonde area is also an area that has a high incidence of HIV/AIDS. Shortages of food and fuel and basic provisions for the hospital were constant. Staff were having a difficult time surviving on their salaries that were now minimal in comparison to the 700% inflation. Many nurses left to work in Britain and other countries so that they could make money to help their families survive in Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwe government was approached for help to keep the hospital operating, but its resources are so over-stretched that is now unable to meet even the needs of basic health care in the country due to lack of supplies, equipment, staff, and finances. Donors to the government have pulled out because of the political situation in the country. People are flocking to mission hospitals which care about people and do have outside donors that help with supplies and money to keep them going.

It is hoped that the closure of the hospital is only a temporary measure until resources can be found. If you want to help, send a $US cheque made out to Makonde Christian Hospital to: Makonde Christian Hospital, P.O. Box 714 Sebastopol, CA 95473
or
send a £GB cheque, made out to The Chidamoyo Trust to :The Chidamoyo Trust, 42 Frensham Road, Crowthorne, Berks RG45 6QH. Mark the envelope clearly “for Makonde Christian Hospital.”