Health facility modernisation: Govt walks talk

Trust Freddy

Herald Correspondent

THE modernisation of health infrastructure is at full throttle with the refurbishment of nurses’ residence at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals now complete and major works at Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital nearing completion.

Similar works are in progress at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, with contractors having commenced renovations in October.

In an exclusive interview with The Herald on Friday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said the Government’s drive to transform public healthcare infrastructure was bearing fruit, citing the complete conversion of the nurses’ residence into state-of-the-art accommodation.

“At Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, the renovations started with the Adlam House, which is an accommodation for student nurses.

“That one is now complete, with new features like a solar system, enough to take care of everything off-grid,” Dr Mombeshora said.

“Also, new water systems were put in place, and a completely new sewage drainage system was put in place and other good aesthetics. If you visit there, you will actually see that it’s a modern facility.

“The swimming pool has been redone. It’s looking very well. Also, other facilities, like the tennis court, were redone, so all that has been completed.”

The residence has the capacity of accommodating 353 student nurses.

The revamp also includes the installation of eight new boreholes, a 30 000-litre water tank and a 120-kilowatt solar system, along with a swimming pool for recreation.

Dr Mombeshora also revealed that major works at the Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital had been completed, with its full opening expected soon.

“As you know, the hospital had to be closed completely, and the facility is functioning from the main hospital.

“Two wards have been dedicated for maternity, and a theatre dedicated to caesarean sections in the main hospital.

“So work has progressed. Although we are a bit behind schedule, we are hoping that it will be completed by the end of December, but we are now looking at maybe by the end of January, when the hospital will be opened.

“That will have new equipment as well, new beds, new anaesthesia machines, everything.”

Dr Mombeshora said the newly renovated maternity hospital is expected to be officially commissioned before the end of January.

True to President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind”, the phased renovations are also being implemented concurrently at Mpilo Hospital.

Dr Mombeshora also revealed that preparations for the major renovation of the main hospital at Parirenyatwa are now at an advanced stage, with works expected to commence in early January.

“At Parirenyatwa at main hospital. We are still at the stages of planning. BOQs (Bill of Quantities) have been produced, and those are now being looked at by the Department of Public Works, and by the Ministry of Local Government, and we hope work will start soon, in the beginning of the year.”

The modernisation programme for Parirenyatwa and Mpilo hospitals is expected to serve as a blueprint for other public health  institutions.

This initiative forms part of a wider national exercise to rehabilitate critical health infrastructure and improve service delivery.

Earlier this year, President Mnangagwa made an unannounced tour of Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, where he expressed concern over its dilapidated state and directed the authorities to expedite refurbishment.

The President pledged to upgrade health infrastructure at the country’s major hospitals in line with international standards.

The programme to transform and modernise the health sector, which involves upgrading infrastructure, equipping health facilities and improving drug supply and other consumables, is targeting mainly provincial and district hospitals.