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Meet the Staff of Nyadire United Methodist Hospital

Sarah Tendai Choto, Hospital Administrator

Posted: March 21, 2005

Deep within the rural landscape of Zimbabwe, Nyadire United Methodist Hospital strives to deliver quality health care services despite severely limited resources. The staff attribute their strength and perseverence to their faith in God, which helps them provide patients with love, compassion, and wonderful care.

Sarah Tendai Choto serves as the Hospital Administrator for Nyadire United Methodist Hospital. Her busy days consist of maintaining the hospital's financial records, tracking staff salaries and managing the hospital's general aids, clerks, groundskeepers and drivers.

Sarah's biggest challenge is managing the hospital's budget. Nyadire relies on small grants from the Zimbabwean government to cover the meager (government-set) salaries offered to the nurses, technicians and aids. Unfortunately, the government funding does not extend to expenses such as the hospital's phone, water and electricity bills.

All patients who come to the hospital are given care, regardless of their ability to pay the meager 127 Zimbabwean dollars requested, which amounts to less than the cost of a loaf of bread. As Zimbabwe's economy continues to deteriorate in the midst of political and social unease, the hospital's financial constraints grow. Lately there has not been enough money to buy bread for the orphans at the nearby Home of Hope and the hospital has had to alter the patients' food provisions since meat is no longer affordable.

Though Sarah is constantly challenged with balancing the range of needs of yadire United Methodist Hospital, from ordering medical supplies and rationing food to supporting the School of Nursing and maintaining staff morale, she appreciates the hospital's supportive environment and is committed to ensuring that the hospital will continue to provide care to the Nyadire community.

Photo: Hospital Administrator Sarah Choto tends to a busy phone while managing Nyadire United Methodist Hospital's administrative office. All patients who come to the hospital are given care, regardless of their ability to pay. Photo by Amy Squires 2004.