Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

New shelter helps expectant mothers


A new state-of-the-art shelter at Old Mutare Mission Hospital is a blessing for expectant mothers. 

The Waiting Mothers’ Shelter allows pregnant women from Makoni, Nyanga and Mutare Districts to comfortably await the birth of their child without the risk of traveling long distances after labor begins.

The 60-bed shelter and outpatient department at the hospital were completed with a $350,000 grant from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. 

“We are grateful to the church and GBGM for the grant which enabled us to construct the best waiting mothers’ shelter so far in the district,” said Dr. Evans Munyaradzi Matiki, acting medical superintendent.

“The new waiting mothers’ shelter and outpatient departments are part of the vision of expanding the hospital to cater to the increased population that we now serve,” he added.

The Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Welfare designated Old Mutare Mission Hospital to offer Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care Services, more commonly known as CEmONC in the Mutasa District.

How to help

The hospital is seeking furnishing for the shelter or $30,000 to buy furnishings. Needs includes hospital beds, linens and blankets, stoves, televisions and other furnishing. Email [email protected]
to learn more. 
“Most of these advanced maternity services are not offered at clinics, so the surrounding clinics refer patients to Old Mutare Mission hospital if they encounter complications. 

“The upgrading of our infrastructure to cater for increased referrals were long overdue, as the old buildings are now too small and overcrowded.

“Both the staff members and the community are excited about the developments, which will go a long way in proving the health and welfare,” Matiki said.

Before the new shelter was completed, the hospital had a three-room shelter that was supposed to house 12 people, but was actually overcrowded with 30 to 47 waiting mothers at any given time.

In addition, the pluming and cooking facilities were old, outdated and possibly unsafe.

Sister Terrymore Nyamutenha, the sister-in-charge, was thrilled with the new shelter.

“The new home (is) a spacious, comfortable, friendly environment, (with) improved privacy, a beautiful kitchen, adequate running water and good sanitation,” she continued.

She also praised the playground, which allows for outdoor games, and said the new fence means women can dry their clothes outside without fear of theft.

Expectant mothers at 36-weeks are coming from as far as the Makoni, Nyanga and Mutare Districts to wait for delivery 38-40 weeks. 

Angela Macherechedze, director of the hospital’s Family and Child Unit, said the mothers self-refer, or the clinics in the area refer them.

Expectant mothers and staff stand outside the new waiting mothers’ shelter in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UMNS.
Expectant mothers and staff stand outside the new waiting mothers’ shelter in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UMNS.
“Those referrals are either first pregnancy, experienced complications before, caesarean sections, multiple births, has had many pregnancies or coming from far away where transport is a challenge,” she said. 

Macherechedze said the hospital also offers faith, hope and love with health care. 

“Daily we open our day with a word of prayer and devotion organised by the staff members and the expecting mothers with the understanding that it is by grace to witness a new day and to give birth safely,” Macherechedze said.

“Twice daily we observe them and complicated cases are referred to our local doctors,” she added.

On average, the hospital handles about 80 deliveries monthly — 916 total in 2018. She said of the 916 births, there were two deaths in 2018 and in 2019. 

“In 2018, a woman who was staying at the shelter lost a child and the other in February 2019 was of a woman coming from home.”

The hospital now has a 30-bed maternity unit with operating room, antenatal ward, postnatal ward, a family and child unit and a 60-bed waiting mothers’ shelter that is always full.

 “Our  vision  is  to  have  hospital  with  a  140-bed  general wing  and  a  separate  50-bed  private  wing  that  meets today’s expected standards of a medical care facility. 

“The church is happy with the development towards achieving our vision,” said the Rev. Joseph Chimberengwa, the mission station chair.

Old Mutare Hospital is a United Methodist institution located in the Mutasa District of Manicaland Province, in the eastern part of Zimbabwe — about two kilometers, or just over a mile ─ from Africa University. 

It serves a surrounding population of about 15,000, mainly from nearby rural areas, nearby schools and Africa University, with some patients coming from beyond these areas. Outside the district, the hospital supervises six United Methodist rural health centers with monthly administrative and treatment visits. 

Chingwe is communications coordinator for the Zimbabwe East Conference.

News media contact: Vicki Brown at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Weekly Digests.

Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Theology and Education
Graduates celebrate during Africa University’s 31st commencement ceremony June 7 at the United Methodist institution in Mutare, Zimbabwe. With 622 graduates from 20 African countries joining its alumni across the continent, the university remains true to its mantra: “Leaders are made here.” Photo courtesy of the Africa University Public Affairs Office.

622 graduate at Africa University

The pan-African institution’s class of 2025 featured graduates from 20 African countries, with 59% women.
Global Health
Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa holds newborn Clarence Rinomhota as his mother, Sarah Mushamba, looks on at Chindenga rural health clinic in Mutoko, Zimbabwe. The center, which was dedicated Feb. 22, is the final clinic under the United Methodist Nyadire Mission Hospital to be renovated. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Nyadire Connection dedicates sixth rural health center

New mothers express appreciation for the care they receive at revitalized church clinic, while staff tout state-of-the-art equipment and upgrades.
Global Health
Children from The United Methodist Church’s Chikwizo Primary School in the Mutoko Mudzi District of Zimbabwe line up to get polio vaccinations at Chikwizo rural health clinic, as part of the government’s campaign to eradicate the killer disease in children under 10 years old. The church’s health facilities vaccinated thousands of children against the disease in February. Chikwizo is one of five clinics under the church’s Nyadire Mission Hospital to be upgraded with support from The Nyadire Connection over the past decade. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

Partnerships strengthen Zimbabwe health facilities

United Methodist hospitals and clinics thrive with support from partners enabling reconstruction of old structures to new state-of-the-art facilities.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved