Brilliant Mukaro

MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO –  Hunger and deprivation has become so dire at Mucheke Old People’s Home as Government grants that were due to the institution in December are yet to come.

A senior official said that they are beginning to see some deaths at the home which are a result of hunger.

The home which is located in Masvingo’s oldest suburb of Mucheke houses 15 old people.

Briefing the media during a donation by a local businessman yesterday, the home’s deputy director Lincoln Dahwa said a Government grant that was supposed to be released in December last year or early January has not been released.

He said that the situation at the home is pathetic, affecting food needed for the elderly, allowances for workers and administration of the place. There is also no medication for ailing old people and pampers for the bed-ridden.

He said that elderly people were dying without medical attention and urged doctors to volunteer medical services to the inmates at least once every six months.

Dahwa bemoaned high levels of inflation that will see the grant losing value when it finally gets into the home’s account.

“There is no food and we depend on the little that we get on the goodwill of well-wishers. Permanent staff members have gone for months without salaries and the place has no qualified nurses as it now depends on nurse aids or those on attachment and social work interns from the Reformed Church University. The sickness and deaths that we see here are harrowing as a result of lack of medical service,” said Dahwa. 

Department of Social Welfare provincial director Stanilous Sanyangore  said the government has been disbursing yearly grants and he is not aware why Mucheke Old People’s home is yet to receive theirs.

“As far as I know all the beneficiaries entitled to receive funds from the government have received their grants. If Mucheke Old People’s Home has not received their, then I will have to make investigations to establish why they haven’t received theirs,” he said.   

The businessman Sam Chapfika donated 43 jerseys to Alpha Cottages and 36 jerseys to the home.

Masvingo Ward 4 councillor Aleck Tabe promised to support the home as it falls under his ward. He urged the Government to use its budget surplus on the Old People’s Home.https://masvingomirror.com/