Chronicle Editor
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
HWANGE Medical Company (HMC) is set to establish a regional “Oncology Centre” at its hospital and acquire ambulances as it expands access to specialised healthcare to communities in Matabeleland North.
The company, which is a subsidiary of Hwange Colliery Company Limited Holdings, has since acquired a specialised intensive care unit ambulance for US$145 000.
The hospital has also opened a dialysis unit for kidney patients cutting the travelling costs to Bulawayo.
Speaking during the 27th graduation ceremony of 31 students at the Hwange School of Nursing on Friday, HMC chief medical officer, Dr Nairos Deredzai, said the establishment of the centre was in response to the emerging public health threat linked to non-communicable diseases.
“Let’s all be reminded of the emerging public health threat of rising numbers of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease and cancers,” he said.
“In this regard, it is not lost on Hwange Colliery that this calls for enhanced efforts for healthcare preparedness, infrastructural improvements and establishment of need-specific units.
“Hence the organisation has put on card, an exciting journey to realise the establishment of a regional Oncology Centre of Excellence intended to screen, detect, treat or palliate patients suffering from cancers,” said Dr Deredzai.
He said in addition to other initiatives undertaken or planned by the company, training and development of healthcare workers remained critical in ensuring contribution to the country’s health workforce.
“The ongoing general nurse training by HCCL is a powerful demonstration of commitment by the organisation to complement Government efforts of aligning health worker training programmes with the needs of the sector and increase training outputs from 3 334 in 2022 to at least 7 000 by 2030 as highlighted in the Zimbabwe Health Workforce Strategy,” said Dr Deredzai.
“Furthermore, the training of nurses by HCCL is aimed at accelerating the national aspirations of attaining sustainable universal coverage.”
Echoing the same sentiments HCCL Holdings administrator, Mr Munashe Shava, said the organisation remained alive to the increase in non-communicable and lifestyle diseases hence their striving to provide comprehensive, accessible, affordable and quality medical services to the community.
“As HCCL, we recently opened a dialysis unit to provide treatment for kidney disease patients who no longer have to travel to Bulawayo for the life-saving service,” said Mr Shava.
“Plans are at an advanced stage to bring on board an additional ambulance to increase the fleet for the Colliery Hospital to three in the short term.”
He said the company was on a rebound to profitability and remained committed to serving the health delivery system by churning out quality products employable beyond borders.
“As part of roping in stakeholder collaboration to support the Government’s health delivery endeavours, we fully welcome interested establishments keen on partnering with the School of Nursing in various ways to come forward and make an impact in the noble profession, which is the backbone of healthcare delivery.”
Meanwhile, Chief Whange has commended the company for investing in the training of nurses and expressed satisfaction at the recruitment ratio, which saw 77 percent locals benefitting from the programme, resulting in the creation of social value in local communities.
Of the 31 graduands who walked away with diplomas after successfully completing the three-year general nursing programme, six were males.
The event was graced by Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution MInister, Richard Moyo, traditional leaders, Government officials and church and business leaders.
Online Reporter