Tongai Mashonga, [email protected]
KWEKWE City Council has received an autoclave machine worth US$1 500 which will strengthen infection prevention and control at its health facilities.
The equipment was donated by the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) under the BRAVE U’WILL Project, which is being implemented in Kwekwe and Bulawayo districts with financial support from Plan International.
An autoclave works by using high-pressure saturated steam to sterilise equipment through a precise sequence of loading, air removal, steam injection, sterilization, exhaust, and drying.
By following these structured stages, autoclaves deliver reliable, validated sterilisation essential for patient safety, infection control, and regulatory compliance in healthcare and laboratory settings.
The intervention targets a critical aspect of healthcare delivery by improving the capacity of health facilities to sterilise reusable medical instruments and reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, ZNFPC Midlands Provincial Manager Karen Dzuke said the donation reflected the partners’ commitment to strengthening the health system and ensuring young people had access to safe and quality services.
“This occasion represents more than the handover of a piece of medical equipment. It demonstrates our shared commitment to strengthen the health system, improve the quality of healthcare services and ensure that adolescents and young people have access to safe, acceptable and quality sexual and reproductive health services.”
Ms Dzuke said a functional autoclave was essential as it ensures reusable instruments are properly sterilised.
“Infection prevention and control is a fundamental component of quality healthcare delivery.
“The availability of a functional autoclave machine will strengthen the capacity of this facility to properly sterilise reusable medical instruments, minimise the risk of healthcare-associated infections and protect both clients and healthcare workers,” she said.
Ms Dzuke said the equipment was particularly important when providing sexual and reproductive health services such as the insertion and removal of long-acting reversible contraceptives.
She said such servicwes required strict adherence to infection prevention and control standards.
Ms Dzuke urged council management to ensure that the machine was properly maintained and remained functional, warning that the benefits of medical equipment depended on responsible management, trained personnel and the availability of essential supplies.
“As we hand over this equipment, we appeal to management to ensure its proper utilisation, maintenance and sustainability. Equipment of this nature requires responsible management, trained personnel, consistent availability of essential supplies and adherence to standard operating procedures.
“We want you to ensure that this investment delivers its intended benefits and remains functional for years to come,” she said.
Ms Dzuke said the success of the BRAVE U’WILL Project would ultimately be measured by improvements in the quality of healthcare services and the removal of barriers that prevent young people from accessing them.
“The success of the BRAVE Project will ultimately be measured not by the number of activities implemented or equipment distributed, but by the lives we positively impact, the quality of services we provide and the barriers to accessing healthcare that we remove.
“Let us therefore continue working together to create health facilities where every young person feels welcomed, respected and confident to seek the services they need without fear of stigma or discrimination,” she said.
Receiving the equipment, Assistant Director of Health Services-Nursing, Mrs Tendai Patricia Shumba, said the machine would benefit health services beyond the project-supported facilities.
“On behalf of Kwekwe City, I want to say as the Health Department we are very grateful to receive this autoclave machine. It will go a long way to improve services, not only under the project but across all facilities,” Mrs Shumba said.
“We cherish the support that you have been giving us before and that you continue giving us and we hope these donations will not end here.”
