Nhamo yemumwe hairambirwi sadza???

Zimbabwean newspapers in the past few years have been fanatics of publishing hospital (or any other business) scandals or mismanagement. I read through a couple of newspaper articles in the past stating how badly healthcare had declined in the nation especially in 2008.

I personally thought most of the cases were exaggerated. Some were for the purpose of increasing newspaper sales, yet some had a hidden truth in them. I see some of the assumed 'folk newspaper tales' come alive today.

One of the first things an intern is interested in when they arrive at the company or institution they are employed at, is to find out if there are free food services available in the company. I asked about staff canteen services at the hospital i work at and got my reply.

Staff either come in with packed lunch, buy food from local stores or visit the hospital's canteen services. I am a fan of Grey's Anatomy series and having seen Meredith and Christina feast at their hospital's canteen, i was sure ours would turn out to be something closer to their experience. The reality was that if there was extra, all staff received whatever patients ate. Black tea and buttered bread comprises the patient's breakfast whilst sadza, fried cabbage and beans is served for lunch and supper.

I felt so sorry for the patients, realising i had read from the newspapers of worser patient meal scenarios. I had been callous towards the issue, in the past, and blamed it on the Government and the hospital's mismanagement of funds. Looking at it now, i find a newer view. All is to blame. You and i included.

Back in Harare, tonnes of Zimbabweans flood food outlet shops and restaurants from the $1 sadza take away shops to the most flumboyant and luxurious restaurants. Most small to medium businesses in the capital city profit through selling food. People eat, yes, good for them but having seen patients have to gopple down twice every day cabbages and beans, it touched my heart.

Shona saying states, 'Nhamo yemumwe hairambirwi sadza.' Translated: Another person's worries don't stop you from eating, in this case sadza (our staple food). Most individuals uphold this saying but with a nation with +75% Christians, its unheard of. What happens to those among us, unable to go seek treatment in the private hospitals offering snacks inbetween patient meals?

We have found anyone possible to blame and hoped that donors and International organisations can help the needy among us. 'Look east strategy', we say. Why not start the 'look inside' strategy? Look at the ability you have to give food to the closest starving person. Count the number of times you have unnecessarily feasted your stomach to fries when the nation has a recorded case of a malnutritioned infant everyday.

We can help ourselves by opening our heart to love and care for those in need irregardless of the few things we possess. I analysed my pocket money. Though little to me it may seem, it can sustain families for months, yet alone a patient in the hospital i work. I can do something and touch the heart of those around me with the little i have. It might be donating a banana for each patient in a targeted ward, at least its something. What will you do for a hungry stomach?

In total disagreement with our elders who came up with the above mentioned Shona saying, i say with a Christian heart, 'Kwete, nhamo yemumwe inotorambirwa sadza nekupa mumwe wako.'