The paint on the walls is fresh, the tiles gleam under the fluorescent lights, and the hum of new medical equipment fills the refurbished Ward B1 at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital. For the young patients who will lie in these beds, and the parents who will sit anxiously at their sides, the changes are more than cosmetic they are a lifeline.

On September 24, 2025, Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe officially handed over the newly refurbished children’s ward, alongside state of the art equipment worth a combined US$139,000. For many families who walk through the hospital’s doors, these upgrades mean a brighter chance at recovery for their children.

“We wanted to give this ward a new lease of life,” explained Betty Murambadoro, Stanbic Bank’s Executive Director of Corporate and Investment Banking. “This is more than just a room with beds. It is a place where children battling diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and even newborns with jaundice will now receive treatment with dignity, in a safe and modern space.”

The refurbishment included retiling, fresh paintwork, carpentry, and modernized electrical wiring. But Stanbic didn’t stop there. Recognizing that healthcare is not only about comfort but also about survival, the bank also invested in essential medical equipment humidifiers, compressors, infusion pumps, bubble CPAP machines, and phototherapy lamps tools that doctors say will save countless young lives.

For Dr. Harunavamwe Chifamba, the hospital’s Director of Clinical Services, the impact is already clear. “The phototherapy lamps alone will help treat babies with jaundice, which can be fatal if untreated. This partnership gives us hope. It makes us feel seen.”

The story of Sally Mugabe Central Hospital is deeply tied to Zimbabwe’s public health journey. Known to many as “Gomo Hospital,” it is the second largest public hospital in the country, treating over 2,500 children annually in this ward alone. For decades, staff have stretched limited resources to meet overwhelming demand. Now, with Stanbic’s intervention, the doctors and nurses have new tools to match their tireless dedication.

This is not the bank’s first act of generosity. Since 2021, Stanbic has helped refurbish the maternity wing, funded life-changing surgeries for children with disabilities, donated sterilization autoclaves to hospitals across the country, and even supported people with albinism with sun protection equipment.

But perhaps what stands out most is the humility behind the gesture. “We can renovate buildings and provide equipment,” said Murambadoro, “but it is the doctors, nurses, and staff who breathe life into these efforts through their daily work. To them, we say thank you.”

As families and healthcare workers settle into the renewed ward, one thing is certain: the children of Sally Mugabe Hospital now have a better shot at healing. And for their parents, that is priceless.

^{Images Credit: Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Facebook}