Online Reporter
Peter Matika, Zimpapers Writer
THE medical fraternity is reeling from the tragic loss of medical doctor Dr Goodnow Tanaka Machadu and his wife, Sakhile, who died in a road traffic accident on Christmas Day, a tragedy that has sent shockwaves across the country.
The sudden death of the couple has left colleagues, friends and patients grappling with grief, describing the loss as devastating not only to their families but to the health sector and communities they tirelessly served.
Mater Dei Hospital, where Dr Machadu once worked, paid tribute to the late physician, describing him as a dedicated and compassionate professional whose impact extended far beyond hospital walls.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr G. T. Machadu and his wife. Dr G. T. Machadu faithfully served Mater Dei Hospital as a casualty officer from November 2021 to December 2022 and later as a specialist physician,” the hospital said in a statement.
“His dedication, professionalism, and compassion touched many lives within our hospital and beyond.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who were privileged to know and work with him. May they find comfort and strength during this difficult time.”
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the health sector, with many recalling Dr Machadu as a visionary driven by a deep desire to improve access to quality healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.
Mr Charles Phiri, a colleague at a local medical laboratory, said Dr Machadu was more than just a doctor.
“He was a brother, a mentor and a man with a clear vision. His passion for transforming healthcare delivery in places like Plumtree was inspiring. This is a huge loss, not just to the medical field but to the nation,” said Mr Phiri.
The deaths of the couple quickly went viral on social media, prompting an outpouring of condolences and messages of sympathy, particularly for their young children, whose lives many noted had been altered forever.
Amid the grief, some social media users speculated about the circumstances surrounding the crash, citing images of the wreckage showing the mangled vehicle wrapped around a tree. Others, however, cautioned against drawing conclusions, urging respect and sensitivity for the bereaved family.
Dr Machadu trained as a medical doctor at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), while Sakhile was a pharmacist who also studied at UZ before furthering her education at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) in Bulawayo.
The couple, who graduated around 2013, had been together since 2012 and married in 2016. Details regarding the number of their children were not immediately available.
Professionally, Dr Machadu built an illustrious career, working for the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Bulawayo Medical Group, and later co-founding Lady Coletta Private Hospital in Plumtree, Matabeleland South Province.
Through Meds Incorporated, Dr Machadu and his partners transformed healthcare delivery in the border town, establishing Lady Coletta Private Hospital as part of a broader vision to improve medical access while stimulating local economic growth.
The hospital traces its origins to the Covid-19 pandemic, when the organisation initially provided screening and diagnostic services in the region.
Speaking in July, Dr Machadu said their mission in Plumtree extended beyond emergency responses.
“We came (during Covid) with gloves, masks, on a mission to help to keep Plumtree safe. We realised that Plumtree needed more than just emergency testing. We saw an opportunity to create a sustainable healthcare system that benefitted the community in the long term,” he said.
Today, Lady Coletta Private Hospital offers a wide range of services including primary healthcare, sonography, X-ray services, dental care, optometry and pharmaceutical services through Meds24.
Dr Machadu had ambitious plans to expand the facility into a multidisciplinary medical centre capable of attracting patients from across the border and beyond, while also establishing complementary business ventures to create employment for locals.
He had also spearheaded the development of another healthcare facility at Dingumuzi Primary School in Plumtree, which has since grown into a fully-fledged hospital.
Sakhile, meanwhile, carved out a respected career of her own in the health sector. After her studies at UZ and Nust, she worked as a life coach at Camps Unlimited, a pharmacist at Plaza Pharmacies in Harare,
and later as a medical professional in Bulawayo.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
