STANBIC Bank Zimbabwe has facilitated life-changing surgical operations for 15 children living with correctible disabilities through a US$22 500 grant.
The grant was given to Cure Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe (CCHOZ), the only healthcare facility that offers free paediatric surgery in the country.
The hospital, situated in Bulawayo, opened its doors in 2001.
The 15 children, who underwent the surgery last week, include boys and girls.
One of the children had been wheelchair-bound since birth and suffering from crouch gait — an abnormal walking condition.
Stanbic Bank chief executive, Solomon Nyanhongo, said the bank was committed to changing people’s lives through such interventions.
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“To see someone come in literally unable to do anything and leave full of life and hope through the surgical operations gives us satisfaction that we are indeed contributing to the welfare of the members of the community in which we operate,” said Nyanhongo.
Stanbic Bank head (public sector), Sarah Charangwa said the bank had a keen interest in the health sector.
“The partnership with CURE Zimbabwe fits this bill in every way especially as it promotes the early identification of disabilities and prevention through corrective surgery therefore eliminating the possibility of permanent disabilities,” Charangwa said.
Orthopaedic surgery is very expensive, and this means that many children born with correctible disabilities often went unoperated.
CURE Zimbabwe executive director, Jonathan Simpson, said they were engaging various stakeholders to finance surgical operations.
“The contribution by Stanbic Bank ensured that the children and their caregivers — either parent or guardian — were looked after from the time they entered the hospital until they left inclusive of surgical costs, X-rays, implants, food and medicine. Stanbic Bank has been generous given the macro-economic environment and it has helped to change the lives of these children,” Simpson said.