Government enhances healthcare services: Commissions 4 state-of-the-art ambulances in Midlands

Government on Wednesday commissioned four state-of-the-art ambulances to enhance healthcare services in the Midlands province.

The ambulances will be distributed to public healthcare facilities in Gweru, Mberengwa, Chirumhanzu, and Shurugwi districts, ensuring swift transportation of patients to medical facilities and minimising treatment delays.

The initiative demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and services across the country as the fleet will also provide life-saving interventions, like CPR, stabilising injuries and administering medications to save many lives in the process.

In February, the Government procured a consignment that included new ambulances, anaesthetic and X-ray machines, as well as utility motor vehicles meant to strengthen the referral system and reduce health inequalities in the province.

The consignment was distributed to selected health facilities in the province in a move that ensured that all citizens have access to medical services at affordable cost, buttressing the philosophy of “leaving no place and no one behind”.

Addressing officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Care and Government officials during the commissioning of the ambulances, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Owen Ncube, said the ambulances will go a long way in the health delivery system in the province.

“I am delighted to officiate on this auspicious occasion of commissioning four ambulances procured by the Second Republic under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa, as we journey towards attainment of health for all by 2025,” he said.

“As you may recall, I previously commissioned five ambulances last year, which have improved the Midlands Province’s capacity to safely refer patients.”
Minister Ncube said accordingly, the fleet of four ambulances demonstrates President Mnangagwa’s commitment to modernise health service delivery as the country moves towards the attainment of a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society earlier than 2030.

He said the ambulances are equipped with state-of-the-art emergency equipment that makes them mobile theatres, wherein various medical procedures can be performed while the patient is in transit.

“They will be distributed to Gweru, Shurugwi, and Chirumhanzu District hospitals, as well as Mataga Mini Hospital in Mberengwa.

“I call upon the Ministry of Health and Child Care, as well as all MDAs, to safeguard Government equipment, vehicles, properties and other assets, as they are the engines of effective and efficient service delivery,” said Minister Ncube.

He said after undertaking an extensive tour of hospitals and clinics across the province to monitor health service delivery in line with the mandate of steering the entire Government machinery, President Mnangagwa, swiftly responded to requests through several lifesaving interventions.

“These include availing a critical X-Ray machine at Zvishavane District Hospital, health equipment, including BP machines, service vehicles to district hospitals, establishment of Gokwe North Nursing School, staffing critical posts in hospitals and clinics in the Province, including doctors, nurses, and other critical health professionals, schedules of doctors’ visit to clinics like Chikwingwizha and the provision of two health staff buses, one each for Gweru and Kwekwe District Hospitals,” he said.

Minister Ncube said despite the negative impact of illegal sanctions imposed by the USA and its allies on the health service delivery, which has hindered external funding, President Mnangagwa is revamping the health sector through mobilisation of local resources towards acquisition of ambulances, CT scans, MRI machines, X-Ray machines, BP machines, medication, and provision of Devolution-funded health infrastructure.

“Allow me to further appreciate our nation’s Health Ambassador, Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr A Mnangagwa, for her sterling efforts in championing quality health service delivery to marginalised communities,” he said.

“The First Lady’s health programmes, such as free cancer screening, eye diagnosis and treatment, food and nutrition security, among others, complement Government efforts to align its National Vision with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 to achieve universal health coverage and equitable access to quality and improved health care services for all.”