Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
ZIMBABWE’S drive to strengthen its healthcare workforce received a major boost on Friday as 21 students graduated from the Hwange Medical Company School of Nursing after achieving a 100 percent pass rate in the State Final Examinations.
The graduation ceremony, held in Hwange under the theme: “A Shared Vision of Excellence Through Nurse Training and Teamwork”, brought together Government officials, traditional leaders, health professionals, parents and industry representatives to celebrate the Class of 2026.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Provincial Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Officer, Dr Nhamo Chivhuru, Matabeleland North Provincial Medical Director, Dr Admire Kuretu, described nursing as one of humanity’s noblest professions and challenged graduates to uphold professionalism, integrity and compassion throughout their careers.
“The knowledge, clinical skills and professional values you have acquired have prepared you to provide safe, compassionate and ethical care,” he said, adding that healthcare professionals must embrace lifelong learning and teamwork to improve patient outcomes.
HCCL Holdings chief executive, Mr William Gambiza, said the mining company remains committed to investing beyond coal production by supporting education and healthcare.
“At HCCL Holdings, we believe that building a successful organisation goes beyond mining coal. We proudly provide more than just coal,” he said.
Mr Gambiza said the School of Nursing contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 3 on Good Health and Well-being by producing competent, ethical and compassionate nurses who will serve communities across Zimbabwe.
Presenting the School of Nursing report, principal tutor, Mr Justin Maduma, said the institution continues to expand its capacity, while maintaining high academic standards.
He said the school enrols 120 students across three intakes, with an additional 44 students expected in September this year. The revised curriculum now includes sign language, nursing informatics and entrepreneurship to better prepare graduates for the evolving healthcare environment.
Mr Maduma said students received practical clinical training at Hwange District Hospital, Colliery Clinics, rural health centres, St Patrick’s Mission Hospital, Lukosi, St Luke’s, Ingutsheni, United Bulawayo Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital.
He noted that despite resource constraints, students continued to excel academically, recording pass rates ranging between 85 and 100 percent during study blocks before achieving a clean sweep in the final state examinations.
The school has also invested in improving learning infrastructure through the provision of 100 additional beds, 80 desks and chairs, three new classrooms, an expanded demonstration room and continued ICT support.
Its library has also benefited from partnerships with Book Aid International and the Zimbabwe Open University.
The institution is awaiting accreditation from the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe to become a State Examination Centre, a development expected to reduce examination costs for students while further cementing its ambition of becoming a national Centre of Excellence.
During the awards ceremony, Nilly Ratisayi (23) emerged as the outstanding graduate after scooping several top honours, including the HCC Managing Director’s Prize for the highest marks in the State Final Examinations, the Glaxo-Smith Kline Trophy for Best Academic Performance Throughout Training, the Johnson & Johnson Shield for consistently high performance, the Sr Swikani Sibanda Shield for Best Obstetric Nurse, the Edgars Shield for All Round Senior Nurse, the DATCHET Investments Silver Medal and the J Munsaka Silver Medal for Best Overall Graduating Nurse.
