MUNIDE ZULU, Lusaka
IN CELEBRATING 20 years of operations in Zambia, Shoprite has donated 26 wheelchairs to 26 hospitals and clinics across the country costing K41,600.
Speaking during the donation of a wheel chair at Chipata First-Level Hospital, Shoprite community ambassador Brandina Lubuli said each of the 26 Shoprite stores in Zambia will donate one wheelchair worth K1,600 to a hospital or clinic close to them.
Ms Lubuli, who is also Miss International, observed that a lot of clinics and hospitals struggle when wheeling in patients coming for treatment or those who are unable to walk for lack of wheelchairs.
“I trust, therefore, that the 26 wheelchairs Shoprite is donating will assist the Ministry of Health alleviate this problem so that patients can be transported in a more dignified way,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ms Lubuli said Shoprite has enough trust in the policies of the Patriotic Front (PF) government and the resilience of the Zambian people to continue expanding its business.
She said despite the economic hardships the country is facing, Shoprite plans to open eight stores next year, which will create about 1,000 direct jobs and 300 indirect jobs.
And receiving the donation, Chipata First-Level Hospital medical officer-in-charge Evans Chinkoyo thanked Shoprite for its continued support.
Dr Chinkoyo said the wheelchair donation will greatly assist patients who are unable to walk on their own. He urged other stakeholders to emulate Shoprite in its corporate social responsivity.