Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve in Hwange
HWANGE Colliery Hospital is undergoing a major transformation into a state-of-the-art specialist facility, bringing cutting-edge medical services closer to the people of Matabeleland North Province.
The hospital, which is being upgraded by Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL), now boasts four new dialysis machines, advanced ambulances, and other critical equipment as part of a broader restructuring programme under the newly formed Hwange Medical Company—a subsidiary of HCCL.
The transformation is aimed at closing longstanding gaps in specialist healthcare, particularly for chronic and life-threatening conditions.
During a recent media tour led by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, journalists were given a glimpse of the significant progress made so far, with the facility set to become a centre of excellence in oncology, dialysis, ophthalmology and other specialised fields.
HCCL Administrator Mr Munashe Shava said the move to separate the company’s business units had enabled the creation of a dedicated medical company with a clear mandate to improve healthcare delivery.
“We now have a medical company which we are developing into a centre of excellence, including an oncology centre. We are well advanced in this endeavour, with great partners from India. Our goal is to ensure that specialists come to Hwange to perform procedures here, rather than patients having to travel all the way to India,” he said.
Mr Shava said the dialysis unit, which is already operational, has capacity for 12 machines.
“Before this unit was established, patients had to travel to Bulawayo or Harare for dialysis. We identified this gap and moved to close it. The system is designed to accommodate up to twelve units, and we are progressing towards that goal,” he said.
He said the facility is also expanding to offer specialist services in ophthalmology, with monthly clinics already underway.
“We have arrangements with major specialists who conduct monthly clinics in Hwange. This means the population of Matabeleland North no longer needs to travel long distances for care—they can now access it right here,” he said.
Dr Muswere commended HCCL for the transformation, describing the hospital upgrade as a dual investment in healthcare and worker welfare.
“The administrator has done an extremely good job, supported by teamwork from management, executives and employees. This includes modernising health facilities, ongoing recruitment and capacitating health institutions while diversifying business units,” he said.
He said the institution had also made significant improvements in employee welfare.
“The top 20 percent of earnings now go to workers, alongside recapitalisation and health institution upgrades. With more than four dialysis machines and other facilities, HCCL is ensuring the safety and health of its employees while boosting coal production,” said the Minister.
The Hwange Medical Company is now seeking investment partners to grow high-impact ventures in healthcare, including a regional Oncology Centre of Excellence, retail pharmacies, air ambulance services, and affordable radiological services such as PET, CT, and MRI scans.
Other proposed ventures include telemedicine, local pharmaceutical manufacturing, cardiac and haematology care centres, occupational health facilities, mobile clinics, and medical equipment retail outlets targeting remote and mining communities.
