The Tzu Chi Foundation Mozambique, a Buddhist humanitarian organization, donated more than three tons of rice on Monday (18) to patients hospitalized at the Nhamatanda Rural Hospital in Sofala Province, in central Mozambique. The donations also included 20 kilograms of the medicinal plant moringa.
According to the organization, as reported by Lusa, the aid will benefit at least 90 people daily over a three-month period, at a time when a surgical campaign is underway in Sofala province, increasing pressure on the healthcare facility.
“We learned about the surgical campaign taking place in Sofala province, and given the challenges it may pose for the Nhamatanda Rural Hospital, we decided to offer our support. Our core mission is to bring love and solidarity to those who need it most, and that is what we are doing here,” said Denise Foi, founder of Tzu Chi Mozambique.
The administrator of the Nhamatanda district, Manuel Teixeira, explained that the donations will primarily benefit patients transferred from peripheral health facilities, also highlighting the importance of moringa in nutritional support and patient recovery.
“Many patients transferred from outlying health facilities will benefit, especially since the aid also includes moringa, an important ingredient that enriches and fortifies food, contributing to better nutrition and patient recovery,” said Manuel Teixeira.
According to him, the Foundation’s support will “significantly strengthen” the district’s capacity to provide food for patients. In November 2024, Tzu Chi had already delivered 32 adjustable beds, 249 mattresses, and 3,422 sheets to the Nhamatanda Rural Hospital.
“The Nhamatanda Rural Hospital has been a regular partner in our work in Nhamatanda. Since we arrived in the district, we have been working in coordination with this health facility, including on nutrition-related projects, with the aim of ensuring the well-being of the communities,” added Vannesia Figueiredo, Health Projects Coordinator for Tzu Chi Mozambique.
Tzu Chi, an expression meaning “compassion and relief,” is considered the largest Buddhist humanitarian organization in the world. Founded in 1966 by Buddhist Master Cheng Yen, the organization has been active in Mozambique since 2012 and, in the health sector alone, has already benefited more than 10,000 people across the country.
