Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
FOR every parent, a child’s first steps are a treasured milestone — a moment that signals the beginning of a lifetime of possibilities.
But for families raising children born with physical disabilities, that moment can seem painfully out of reach, replaced by uncertainty and fears about what the future holds.
Today, those fears are giving way to hope.
In Bulawayo, Cure Children’s Hospital is helping children take the first steps many families once thought were impossible, restoring mobility, confidence and dignity through specialised surgery, rehabilitation and comprehensive care.
Since opening its doors, the hospital has treated more than 270 children with physical disabilities, enabling many to walk, return to school and participate fully in society.
A major milestone in that journey came in November last year when the hospital established its own prosthetic laboratory, dramatically improving access to artificial limbs and other assistive devices for children who need them.
The in-house facility has already transformed countless young lives.
The hospital’s executive director, Mr Jonathan Simpson, said the institution remains committed to ensuring that no child is denied an opportunity to live a productive and fulfilling life because of a disability.
“The establishment of our prosthetic laboratory in November 2025 has been a game changer for children requiring artificial limbs and other assistive devices.
“Having these services locally available has reduced waiting times and improved access to specialised care,” he said.
“More importantly, we are seeing the impact beyond the hospital walls. About 56 percent of the children who have received treatment and rehabilitation support have returned to school, which means they are not only regaining mobility but also restoring their dignity, confidence and opportunities for the future,” said Mr Simpson.
He said the hospital was preparing for further expansion as demand for services continues to grow.
“We’re excited about the next phase of development, which will include an additional building that will accommodate workshops, a chapel and other specialised services that will enhance our ability to serve children and their families,” said Mr Simpson.
Beyond direct patient care, the hospital has also emerged as a centre of excellence for medical skills transfer and training.
Mr Simpson said the institution regularly invites specialist surgeons and medical experts from abroad to conduct complex procedures while simultaneously mentoring and equipping local healthcare professionals with advanced skills.
“Skills transfer remains one of our major priorities. We have been bringing in international specialists who work alongside local doctors during surgical procedures while also providing training opportunities for medical practitioners from both Harare and Bulawayo,” he said.
Mr Simpson said the idea is to ensure that these specialised skills remain in Zimbabwe and continue to benefit future generations of children requiring complex orthopaedic and reconstructive procedures.
He said the hospital’s growth is rooted in a vision that gained national prominence in 2021 when President
Mnangagwa officially commissioned the facility, describing it as a major milestone in improving access to specialised healthcare services for children living with disabilities.
The commissioning marked a significant addition to Zimbabwe’s health delivery system and underscored Government’s commitment to ensuring that vulnerable children receive quality healthcare closer to home.
During the commissioning ceremony, President Mnangagwa applauded the partnership-driven approach that had made the project possible and expressed hope that it would become a centre of excellence serving not only Zimbabwe but the wider region.
The hospital has since lived up to that vision, drawing patients from across the country and offering specialised treatment free of charge to families who would otherwise struggle to afford such life-changing procedures.
Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Judith Ncube, who visited the facility on Wednesday said the institution had become a shining example of how strategic investment in healthcare could transform lives.
“We are extremely impressed by the investment that has gone into this facility and the impact it is having on children and families not only in Bulawayo but across Zimbabwe,” she said.
“What is particularly commendable is that the hospital has developed a self-sustaining model while continuing to offer free treatment to children in need,” she said.
“This demonstrates that quality healthcare can be accessible and inclusive while maintaining high standards of service delivery,” said Cde Ncube.
Mr Simpson said for the hundreds of children who have walked through the hospital’s doors, the facility represents more than bricks and mortar.
“It represents first steps once thought impossible, classrooms revisited after years away, and futures rewritten with courage, dignity and hope. For their families, it is proof that sometimes the smallest steps can lead to the biggest dreams,” said Mr Simpson.
