Partnership with TCCAF & CitiHope
Celebration Health recently entered into a partnership with CitiHope International (CHI) to supply medicines and medical supplies, an initiative funded by The Coca Cola Africa Foundation (TCCAF), Nazarene Compassion Ministries and Medical Missions International and supported by several pharmaceutical companies. A launch of this partnership took place at the Celebration Centre on the 22nd of July 2009 where the first shipment of medicines, worth over $4.5 million was handed over to the beneficiaries. By December 2009 the total was US$ 9million. On the same day, a delegation which included TCCAF president Mr. William Asiko, CHI President, Reverend Paul Moore and Celebration Health chief Dr. Jabu Nyenwa were taken on a tour of Harare’s two central hospitals, where they were able to see various aspects for themselves.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Nyenwa told the story of how Celebration Health came to life adding that in the last three years they have distributed medicines and medical supplies worth over $10 million. He also pointed out that Celebration Health has a track record in ensuring resources reach intended beneficiaries. “Celebration Health is committed to continuing collaboration that will complement the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare’s efforts to improve availability of vital medicines and the broader medium to long-term national health plan. This partnership is clear evidence of our commitment,” he said.
Reverend Moore said that CitiHope is pleased to partner with Celebration Health, The Coca Cola Africa Foundation and other leading agencies to revitalize health care delivery in Zimbabwe.
Speaking on TCCAF’s behalf, Mr. Asiko said that partnerships of this nature demonstrate a sustainable and collective response to common problems. “The Coca-cola Africa Foundation is very pleased that, as part of the response, we found a partner who could respond with the urgency and speed that has seen us gather here exactly 5-months after the initial appeal.” He also said Celebration Health’s role in the partnership was critical as they needed a local partner with the integrity and credibility to channel the drugs to needy institutions.
In his address Dr. Madzorera praised the work that Celebration Health did during the cholera outbreak. He said, “We are fully aware of your involvement in the response to cholera at a time when our government was at its weakest. The supply of doctors and medicines to some of our hardest hit centers, like Chegutu, under “Operation Outstretched Hand” was really an act of Godliness. Many lives were saved and those people, and indeed the Ministry of Health Care workers, will forever remain grateful for that spontaneous act of service to the nation.”
This initial consignment of supplies was distributed to Zimbabwe’s five central hospitals namely, Harare Central Hospital, Parirenyetwa Group of Hospitals, Chitungwiza Hospital, Mpilo Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals, as well as Kadoma Hospital and St. Michael’s Hospital in Mhondoro.
The handing over of the 2nd consignment of medical supplies was marked by a partnership event on the 8th of December 2009 at which Mr. Tafumaneyi, from the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, received the medicines on behalf of the public health institutes. This partnership event was attended by the following representatives; Sherree Shereni (TCCAF) Paul II and Jessica Moore (CitiHope International), Angela Hess (MMI) and Dr Peter Huppert (USAID).
Update
15 000 Treated in cholera camps
100 000 People have received Health Education
9200 Given free medical attention during outreaches
120 Surgical procedures
704 Dental procedures
5600 People saved
37 Public Health institutions supplied with medicines, food, medical supplies
32 Care institutions
8 Prisons supplied with food
95 Children received special surgical procedures
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