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Tanyaradzwa Rusike
THE medical specialist section of Zimbabwe’s first super-specialist hospital, currently under construction in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central province, is expected be completed this month and open its doors to the public.
The specialist section, being developed under the first phase of the multi-million-dollar project, will house an oral health unit, eye centre, invitro fertilisation (IVF) unit and a diagnostics centre.
Presently, the section is being equipped with high-tech medical equipment to facilitate delivery of high-level specialised healthcare.
The second phase of the project, which is set to be completed by year-end, will witness the development of a pharmacy building, while the third and fourth phases will see the construction of the oncology and cardiology sections, respectively.
It is understood Zimbabweans spend up to US$400 million annually seeking treatment and other health services abroad.
The Quinary Hospital, spearheaded by the University of Zimbabwe through funding from Government, will significantly reduce such expenses.
UZ Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo said: “We have the component of the medical specialist hospital, which we are hoping to finish by the end of this month.
“The other phases are still under development and we hope to complete them by the end of this year.
“One thing that will be left will be equipmentation, which includes the movement of equipment from Parirenyatwa Hospital, where we have been operating from.
“However, we want to acquire new equipment that is in line with the advancement and modernisation that we are seeking to have.”
Completion of the project, he said, was delayed by the recent economic volatility.
“We are behind our desired schedule, but we are making progress all the same,” he added.
“We are making progress on the main building, which was, however, affected by inflation and some labour issues.
“I am happy to say people have remained focused.”
Prof Mapfumo commended the Government for supporting the venture.
“Government has given us unprecedented support in terms of infrastructure development; the hospital is a massive infrastructure project that requires a lot of resources.
“We have not been limited by resources and we are on course to complete the hospital.”
It is envisaged that the specialist hospital will anchor the Government’s aspirations to launch medical tourism in the country.
Upon completion, the hospital is expected to be one of the best specialist health centres in Africa.
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