*Chinhoyi University Student Designs Winter Pyjamas for Hospital Patients* At a time when most university students are focused on grades and graduation, 24-year-old Melissa Bvunzawabaya is stitching together a different kind of legacy, one rooted in compassion and innovation. A final-year student at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), Melissa has designed a unique line of winter pyjamas tailored specifically for hospital patients, offering both warmth and dignity during some of their most vulnerable moments. The inspiration behind her project comes from a deeply personal place. Melissa recalls many times she visited health facilities to see admitted relatives, particularly during the cold winter months, where she was struck by how ill-prepared most patients were for the biting temperatures. Standard hospital gowns were thin, revealing, and did little to protect patients from the cold, especially during long stays. That experience lingered in her mind, eventually shaping the focus of her university design project. From childhood, Melissa dreamed of becoming a clothing designer and one day launching her own fashion label. She pursued her passion early on by taking Fashion and Fabrics at O Level, where her love for textiles and garment construction began to take shape. Fate later aligned with her ambitions when she enrolled at CUT to pursue a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Clothing, Fashion and Design. Now, through her innovative pyjama line, Melissa is not only turning her dream into reality but also redefining how fashion can meet function. She is addressing practical needs in healthcare settings that are often overlooked by the fashion industry. For Melissa, this project is more than just a final-year assignment. It is a heartfelt response to a real-world problem faced by countless patients in Zimbabwean hospitals during winter. I remember visiting the hospital and seeing that most pyjamas are made of polycotton materials that do little to insulate or keep patients warm. That is why I thought of coming up with this design, providing warm pyjamas that are also patient-friendly and tailored to different medical needs,” said Melissa in an interview with HealthTimes. The Designs While the majority of her pyjamas are intended to offer warmth, Melissa has added unique and innovative elements specifically designed to address common medical conditions. “I have created garments designed for patients with hypertension and those who require frequent blood pressure checks. Another design caters to individuals undergoing Caesarean sections or abdominal surgeries. There’s also a version that supports catheter placement, making it suitable for patients undergoing dialysis or facing urinary complications,” she explained. Additional designs include pyjamas for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery or treatment. She has also developed a wrap-around trouser that allows healthcare workers to administer injections without the need to fully remove a patient’s pants. This simplifies medical procedures while preserving the patient’s dignity. Her thoughtful creations feature sleeve openings for easy blood pressure monitoring, secure pockets for storing tablets or medication, abdominal access flaps for post-operative care, and lower pockets for hanging catheters. Melissa’s exhibition of these pyjamas coincides with the onset of winter in Zimbabwe, which is predicted to be colder than average. “These pyjamas will not only provide physical warmth but also improve the emotional and psychological experience of patients during hospital admission. The aesthetic appeal of the garments contributes to better mental well-being. It reminds patients that they are not forgotten. Someone out there cares deeply about them,” added Melissa. The Future Melissa envisions scaling up her project into a fully-fledged business that supplies hospitals across Zimbabwe, from primary healthcare centres to tertiary institutions. “This is more than a university project. I see it evolving into a business venture that transforms the in-patient experience across Zimbabwe’s health sector. But for that to happen, I will need support in the form of financing, partnerships, and access to quality fabric,” she said. A Reflection of Education 5.0 Melissa’s project is a testament to Zimbabwe’s evolving higher education model, Education 5.0, which is being implemented across state universities, including Chinhoyi University of Technology. Unlike previous models that focused solely on teaching, research, and community service (Education 3.0), Education 5.0 adds innovation and industrialisation as core pillars of the academic framework. The goal of Education 5.0 is to produce graduates who are not just job seekers but job creators, equipped with practical, entrepreneurial skills that contribute directly to national development. Under this model, students are encouraged to identify local challenges and develop homegrown, commercially viable solutions. Melissa’s work is a perfect example of this approach in action. Chinhoyi University of Technology has been at the forefront of this transformation, nurturing a new generation of students who are inventive, socially conscious, and ready to tackle real-world problems. Through Melissa’s winter pyjamas initiative, the university has once again demonstrated the effectiveness of Education 5.0 in fostering innovation that is not only academically sound but also socially impactful. As winter sets in and hospitals prepare for increased admissions, Melissa Bvunzawabaya’s creations are a warm reminder that innovation, empathy, and education can come together to bring comfort and dignity to those who need it most. *Join Us Here:* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VatQmvjKmCPKQt7clb1s