Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo [email protected]
THE City of Bulawayo is positioning itself as a regional hub for medical tourism, leveraging significant investments in both private and public healthcare facilities as part of efforts to re-imagine an economy once driven largely by manufacturing and industry.
Speaking as guest speaker at the Association of Health Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) Annual All-Stakeholders Conference in Bulawayo on Thursday, Mayor Councillor David Coltart said recent growth in the city’s health sector presents a genuine opportunity to attract patients from across Southern Africa.
“There have been some very encouraging developments in the health sector in our city,” said Cllr Coltart.
He highlighted major expansion works at Mater Dei Hospital over the past three to four years, as well as the opening of Cure Children’s Hospital in 2021, which he said is carrying out remarkable surgical procedures for children from across Zimbabwe.
Although services at Cure Children’s Hospital are provided free of charge and therefore do not directly contribute to medical aid business, Cllr Coltart said the institution is helping raise standards of medical expertise in Zimbabwe, particularly in paediatric surgery.
The mayor revealed that he had played a role in persuading the organisation to establish its operations in Bulawayo in 2013 and has remained involved with the project for more than a decade.
Among other notable developments, he cited the establishment of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Medical School, which is in the process of relocating to its proposed premises.
He also referred to new medical equipment recently delivered to Mpilo Central Hospital and positive reports he had received regarding services in the intensive care unit and emergency department at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).
“We sometimes think of the Government sector as being short of funds and unable to provide a competent service. But I was gratified to learn that even at UBH, people have had very positive reports coming through,” he said.
Cllr Coltart said the need to re-imagine Bulawayo’s economy has become increasingly urgent.
Historically regarded as Zimbabwe’s industrial hub, the city has witnessed the closure of numerous factories, while others within a five-kilometre radius of the central business district have been converted into warehouses.
“It’s very difficult to imagine that we can get industry functioning in the same way it functioned, say, 40 or 50 years ago. And so, as we re-imagine the economy of this city, a key component in our thinking is tourism,” he said.
He described tourism as the city’s low-hanging fruit, pointing to the availability of five daily flights from Johannesburg into Bulawayo.
The city is also engaging South African carriers such as SA Airlink in a bid to secure direct flights to Durban and Cape Town.
However, the mayor said the city’s ambitions extend beyond conventional tourism to what he described as medical tourism, attracting people to Bulawayo specifically to access healthcare services.
“How can we take the expertise that we have in our city, how can we transform and better utilise these expansions in our medical facilities by attracting people to come and receive medical services in this city, not just from Zimbabwe, but particularly from countries in the region – countries like Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, and possibly even South Africa?” said Cllr Coltart.
He said Bulawayo was well placed to offer a compelling package that combines quality medical services, a safe environment for recovery and rehabilitation, and highly regarded healthcare professionals.
“It is not just because of their medical expertise, it is also about their soul and their spirit. One of the reasons I love living in this country and in this city is because of the huge warmth that is generated by so many people, including our medical professionals,” he added.
The mayor challenged health funders and medical aid societies to broaden their thinking and explore how Bulawayo’s healthcare services can be marketed to patients from outside Zimbabwe.
He pointed to the recent opening of a new Cimas centre as a further demonstration of investment and confidence in the city’s healthcare sector.
“It might seem outlandish, but many dreams are outlandish when you start out on them. The challenge I want to leave with you is to think: how can we transform those medical services so that they are viewed not just as something that local people wish to use, but that people from the region, and perhaps further afield, may use?”
He said Bulawayo City Council was ready to support stakeholders interested in advancing the concept.
“If you believe that the seed I have sown with you this morning has any merit, please approach my office to see how the city council can facilitate and assist you. If you pursue those dreams, if you need to smooth that path, please don’t hesitate to contact us.”
The two-day 17th edition of the AHFoZ All-Stakeholders Conference brought together representatives from medical aid societies, regulators and local and regional healthcare experts.
Held under the theme, “Mastering the Pivot: Towards Unified Healthcare Access”, the conference heard calls for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to improve healthcare delivery and expand access to quality health services in Zimbabwe.
