Stanbic Gives Parirenyatwa US$98,000 Newborn Care Boost

Eight newborn incubators valued at US$98,000 have been donated to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals by Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe in a move expected to strengthen neonatal care and improve the survival chances of premature and critically ill babies.

The donation comes at a time when access to specialised newborn care remains critical in addressing infant mortality, with the equipment expected to support the hospital in caring for thousands of newborns who require additional medical attention during their earliest days of life.

For families whose newborns require specialised care, access to functional incubators can make a significant difference by providing a controlled environment that helps vulnerable babies survive and grow stronger.

In a speech read on his behalf, Stanbic Bank Chief Executive Solomon Nyanhongo said the donation went beyond the provision of medical equipment, describing it as an investment in the lives of newborn babies and the future of Zimbabwe.

Nyanhongo said every child who requires an incubator represents a family hoping and praying that their baby will grow stronger and eventually return home healthy.

“The urgency of this intervention is underscored by Zimbabwe’s infant mortality rate, which stood at 62 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024. Behind that number are families and communities whose futures depend on timely access to quality neonatal care. These incubators will help strengthen the hospital’s capacity to care for premature and critically ill newborns at their most vulnerable stage of life,” he said.

He said the intervention reflected Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe’s commitment to supporting healthcare delivery and improving access to essential medical services.

The latest donation also builds on the bank’s previous support to the institution, following the handover of an autoclave in November 2025 to strengthen sterilisation and infection-control capacity at the hospital.

“Our return today, with eight infant incubators, marks a second consecutive year of practical support to the hospital and reflects our intention to build lasting relationships rather than make once-off contributions,” he said.

Nyanhongo said the bank, which has been part of Zimbabwe’s growth story for 34 years, recognised that national development could not be separated from the health and wellbeing of its people.

He said investing in healthcare was central to building stronger families, communities and workplaces, adding that the bank's contribution to society extended beyond financing businesses and facilitating commerce.

“Our purpose reminds us that ‘Zimbabwe is our home, we drive her growth.’ Driving her growth means more than financing businesses and enabling commerce. It also means investing in the health and wellbeing of our people, including the youngest and most vulnerable among us,” he said.

He added that a healthy population was essential for productive communities, successful businesses and a growing economy, making healthcare an important part of the bank's corporate social investment initiatives.

Receiving the equipment, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals Chief Medical Officer Dr Tsitsi Magure said the donation would strengthen the institution's capacity to provide safe, quality and specialised care to newborn babies requiring additional medical support.

Dr Magure said the equipment represented more than an improvement in the hospital's medical infrastructure, as it would directly contribute to protecting the lives and wellbeing of some of its most vulnerable patients.

“We sincerely appreciate Stanbic Bank for choosing to support healthcare and for recognising the needs of our institution,” Dr Magure said.

She said the hospital valued partnerships that brought together healthcare institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders in addressing challenges within the health sector.

The donation highlights the role of private sector partnerships in complementing Government efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, particularly in specialised areas such as neonatal care, where timely access to appropriate equipment can influence the survival and recovery of newborn babies.