one of the scenes at the event : pic by The Avenues Clinic
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The Avenues Clinic last Friday held it’s fifth edition of the Doctors Appreciation event, honouring 63 doctors who have partnered the institution to create the best clinical outcomes.
The old-school themed event, saw doctors trading their white coats and scrubs, for the glitz and glamour, well befitting for such celebrations.
It was more than a celebration, as former patients also took time to praise the men and women who are dedicated to the call of saving lives.
The former patients took centre stage during the celebrations, sharing heartfelt testimonials about their healing journeys.
Their (former patients) reflections centred on something deeper, the reassurance, empathy and emotional presence of their doctors during some of their most vulnerable moments.
And many described how simply knowing their doctor was available when needed, brought immense comfort during pain and uncertainty.
General Manager Sibusisiwe Ndhlovu said the appreciation ceremony has now become an important institutional culture at the hospital.
“So this is our fifth edition of the Doctor’s Appreciation. This is a culture that we started five years ago.
“And we have just found that appreciation of saying, thank you Doctor, you were there for me, you were there when I needed you.
“So from a patient’s point of view, as you have heard from the testimonials today, it means so much. When someone is in pain, just knowing that my doctor is a caller, and when I need him to be there, he will be called and he will attend to me. It’s so reassuring,” said Ndhlovu.
She added: “from us as a hospital, we are saying we are together in a partnership to ensure that we have good clinical outcomes for our patients.
“And what are the good clinical outcomes, patients want to be well.
“Patients want to be different too. Patients just want to feel that there is someone with them and doctors are a key partner in this because they actually lead us in this.
“And we just want to take time off to say from your present schedule, thank you for everything that you do. There is actually no payment that one can make for the work that a doctor does.
“Imagine a doctor resuscitating you from the brink of death. There is no payment you can make for that. So for us, we just want to say thank you to them and we have found that this appreciation also keeps them going.”
And indeed from the several testimonials, the event underscored a profound truth often overlooked in modern healthcare, that while medicine may treat the body, but compassion remains key.
And the event was also filled with pomp and funfair with some karaoke from yesteryear songs.
And one former patient stole the show when he sang Lovemore Majaivana’s all time hit, Umoya Wami with absolute finesse.
