Zimbabwe Senior Citizens Association Donates Wheelchair and Winter Essentials to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital 

By Evans Jona

In a compassionate gesture aimed at improving the welfare of the elderly, the Zimbabwe Senior Citizens Association (ZSCA) on Friday donated a wheelchair to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital and assorted winter essentials to Zororai Old People’s Home in Sakubva, Mutare — while calling attention to the growing neglect faced by older citizens in communities.

Speaking during the handover event, ZSCA National Chairman Patrick Ndhlovu said the donations were part of the association’s ongoing efforts to support vulnerable elderly citizens in both institutional care and community settings.

“We are donating one wheelchair to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, which was given by one of our members, and at Zororai Old People’s Home, we’re handing over winter clothes for the ladies, floor polish donated by OK Mart, and some lotion for their use during this cold season,” Ndhlovu said.

He revealed that this marked the second occasion the association had donated wheelchairs and assured stakeholders of plans to scale up the programme nationwide.

Ndhlovu expressed concern over the growing neglect of elderly citizens, some of whom, he said, were sleeping at Sakubva Musika market rank and suburban open spaces, struggling daily to fend for themselves.

“It’s a very sad picture to see our elderly, some of them over 70, still walking the streets looking for something to eat, sleeping out in the open market. In a few years, most of them won’t be able to walk anymore. We cannot allow this to continue as a nation,” he said.

ZSCA Project Coordinator Thomas Chimtanda added that their long-term vision was to expand care services and promote the establishment of more elderly care centres across the country, ensuring senior citizens receive the dignity, peace, and medical attention they deserve.

“We have realised that those in Old People’s Homes tend to live longer because of the care and peace of mind they get there. Our hope is to see more such centres being created and supported, and to extend our reach into rural communities where elderly people are still herding cattle and living without medical care,” said Chimtanda.

Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital administrators expressed gratitude for the wheelchair donation, highlighting the positive impact it would have on patients requiring mobility support.

At Zororai Old People’s Home, Assistant Administrator Nyasha Mkosera also extended her appreciation, underscoring the home’s ongoing challenges in meeting daily needs for their 11 elderly residents.

“We are grateful for the winter clothes and supplies. This will go a long way in easing the burden during this cold season,” she said.
Mkosera further called on the community to assist in identifying and referring vulnerable elderly people through the Department of Social Welfare so they can receive proper care.

The ZSCA pledged to continue its monthly interactions with the elderly in urban centres and to intensify efforts to mobilise resources for regular donations, elderly welfare advocacy, and a future where no elderly person is left to suffer in the streets.

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