Harare — ITALIAN President Giorgio Napolitano has bestowed Muzarabani district medical officer and St Albert's Mission Hospital doctor Elizabeth Tarira with the Knight of the Italian Solidarity Star in recognition of her commitment to providing health services to people in the area.

Presenting the award on behalf of Mr Napolitano at a colourful ceremony at St Albert's Mission in Centenary last Friday, Italian ambassador Dr Mario Bologna said Dr Tarira was being honoured for her dedication in carrying out her duties despite the problems facing Zimbabwe and the health sector.

The hospital gets assistance from the Italian government.

"The co-operation with Italy dates back to 1983, in the early years after independence," said the ambassador.

He said currently in Mashonaland Central, Italy was assisting Bindura Provincial Hospital, all the seven district hospitals and some clinics.

"In some districts, more attention is centred on training, as we consider that the best way to obtain real and consistent development is to invest in developing professionals," said the ambassador.

St Albert's Hospital administrator Mr Tapera Saizi commended the relationship between the hospital and the Italian government.

"Today we are grateful and proud of what the Italian government has done to our district medical officer, Dr Tarira. You have fulfilled our ambitions, wishes and desires.

"We have been aware of how she has been sacrificing and devoting all her time to hospital work.

"We are quite aware that she is a professional beggar, but whom is she begging for? The patients and the needy people," he quipped.

Mr Saizi said because of her motherly love, Dr Tarira had managed to raise Centenary district from a state of deprivation to one with modern facilities and amenities.

Having joined St Albert's Clinic in 1983, Dr Tarira transformed the clinic into a hospital by initiating various projects with the help of the Italian government and Italian non-governmental organisations.

On infrastructural development, Dr Tarira sourced funds to build several hospital blocks, staff houses and a dam.

She helped the hospital get a farm during the land reform programme.

The farm is now producing maize and vegetables and has also ventured into piggery and animal husbandry.

Dr Tarira negotiated with the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, through the nursing directorate, to establish a nurse training school, which has been approved.

She is patron of the network of People Living With HIV and Aids and St Albert's Hospital Football Stars that is now playing in the Zifa Division Two league.