News / National
Nurse in hospital theft scandal, supplies illegal clinic
11 hrs ago | 9 Views
A nurse at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital is under investigation for allegedly diverting medical supplies to an unlicensed private clinic in Budiriro.
Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary, Dr Aspect Maunganidze, confirmed that authorities are aware of the case, which has been reported to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
The accused, Ms Tsitsi Zakira Mavhengere, is alleged to have siphoned medicines, gloves, syringes, linen, and other hospital materials and delivered them to Mbuya Nyarai Clinic and Maternity Home, which had been operating without registration. The clinic, co-owned by Mr Norbert Chifeya, was shut down five months ago. Chifeya has a history of fraud dating back to 2011.
The alleged theft came to light after a whistleblower provided a video showing hospital-branded supplies inside the Budiriro clinic. Items in the footage included sterile gloves, syringes, crepe bandages, hospital tape, Betadine antiseptic, absorbent gauze, Codefree blood glucose strips, hand sanitiser, lubricants supplied by UNFPA, and linen sheets marked with Sally Mugabe Hospital tags.
Insiders claim the alleged theft had been ongoing for months, depriving patients of essential supplies. "This is part of a wider syndicate where public resources are diverted to private operators," said a senior hospital employee.
Ms Mavhengere has denied the allegations, calling the footage fabricated. "I have nothing to comment to you about this. I was not part of that clinic," she said.
Mr Chifeya also dismissed the claims as a smear campaign. "There are people who want to destroy my name. The clinic was closed months ago after health officials said we were not fully registered," he said.
Public health experts warn that stealing hospital supplies endangers patients treated in unlicensed facilities. "There is no guarantee these items are stored correctly or even safe for use once they leave the hospital system," said Prof Johannes Marisa, a Harare-based public health analyst.
Dr Maunganidze confirmed that investigations are ongoing. "Authorities are on the ground to institute thorough investigations," he said.
Attempts to obtain comment from Sally Mugabe Hospital CEO, Dr Hopewell Mungani, were unsuccessful.
Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary, Dr Aspect Maunganidze, confirmed that authorities are aware of the case, which has been reported to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
The accused, Ms Tsitsi Zakira Mavhengere, is alleged to have siphoned medicines, gloves, syringes, linen, and other hospital materials and delivered them to Mbuya Nyarai Clinic and Maternity Home, which had been operating without registration. The clinic, co-owned by Mr Norbert Chifeya, was shut down five months ago. Chifeya has a history of fraud dating back to 2011.
The alleged theft came to light after a whistleblower provided a video showing hospital-branded supplies inside the Budiriro clinic. Items in the footage included sterile gloves, syringes, crepe bandages, hospital tape, Betadine antiseptic, absorbent gauze, Codefree blood glucose strips, hand sanitiser, lubricants supplied by UNFPA, and linen sheets marked with Sally Mugabe Hospital tags.
Insiders claim the alleged theft had been ongoing for months, depriving patients of essential supplies. "This is part of a wider syndicate where public resources are diverted to private operators," said a senior hospital employee.
Ms Mavhengere has denied the allegations, calling the footage fabricated. "I have nothing to comment to you about this. I was not part of that clinic," she said.
Mr Chifeya also dismissed the claims as a smear campaign. "There are people who want to destroy my name. The clinic was closed months ago after health officials said we were not fully registered," he said.
Public health experts warn that stealing hospital supplies endangers patients treated in unlicensed facilities. "There is no guarantee these items are stored correctly or even safe for use once they leave the hospital system," said Prof Johannes Marisa, a Harare-based public health analyst.
Dr Maunganidze confirmed that investigations are ongoing. "Authorities are on the ground to institute thorough investigations," he said.
Attempts to obtain comment from Sally Mugabe Hospital CEO, Dr Hopewell Mungani, were unsuccessful.
Source - The Herald
