Staff Writer
HARARE – Harare-based medical solutions company, Eagly Medical Supplies has donated 22 wheelchairs and eight sets of crutches to children with mobility challenges as part of a partnership with the 40K campaign and Hearts of Relief in Marondera.
The donation, which is valued at thousands of dollars, is aimed at improving the mobility and quality of life of vulnerable children, including those with conditions such as cerebral palsy.
In an interview, Tungamirirai Muvhawa who coordinated the exercise, said the company was committed to supporting vulnerable communities as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives.
“Eagly Medical Supplies is a medical solutions company. We provide equipment for mobility and other medical conditions that require engineered instruments to help people survive and live better lives,” Muvhawa said.
He said the company supplied the bulk of the equipment donated through the 40K campaign to Hearts of Relief, while also making an additional contribution of its own.
“As part of our corporate social responsibility, we also had to put our own donation over and above what they had purchased from us,” he said.
Muvhawa said the company viewed its participation as more than a business transaction, stressing the importance of working with donors and charitable organisations to support communities in need.
“Our participation is a corporate choice to give back to vulnerable communities and to participate in the overall stakeholder sector, the donors and charity organisations that are also in existence,” he said.
“We are not there only to sell, but we are also there to provide a service, to assist and to help vulnerable communities.”
The donation included different types of wheelchairs designed for varying mobility needs. Some were standard wheelchairs, while others were specifically designed to support children living with cerebral palsy.
Muvhawa said the company was particularly encouraged by the focus on children.
“We were very pleased to assist because this was going towards children and children’s mobility.
An example is children living with cerebral palsy. That is a condition that requires the entire community to show love and assist so that the children can survive better,” he said.
He said Igla Lines was inspired by the 40K campaign’s objectives and saw the initiative as an opportunity to support the diaspora community’s efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable Zimbabweans.
“We were moved by 40K’s agenda, and we thought it was a good opportunity for us to also extend a hand and assist the diaspora community on their initiative,” Muvhawa said.
The equipment donated comprised 22 wheelchairs of different makes and specifications, as well as eight sets of crutches and other walking aids for children.
Although Muvhawa could not provide an exact monetary figure for the donation, he described it as a substantial contribution worth thousands of dollars.
“It was quite a donation. It’s a huge donation, and it’s well in the thousands.
I think it’s one of those donations that really come at the right time. That was a big donation, and I think it’s going to change so many lives in the Marondera community,” he said.
Muvhawa said Eagly Medical Supplies had a history of supporting individuals and organisations facing mobility challenges across the country.
He said the company had assisted individuals directly, worked with charitable groups and churches, and sometimes offered substantial discounts to people who could not afford medical equipment.
“Sometimes we give discounts, big discounts, to assist people to purchase equipment that they cannot buy for themselves. Sometimes we give complete gifts — everything that is required,” he said.
The company hopes that continued partnerships with charitable organisations will expand access to mobility equipment and contribute to better living conditions for children and other vulnerable people living with disabilities.
