Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve
THE Government has made significant headway in the construction of the long-awaited Lupane Provincial Hospital, with the first phase of the project now nearing completion and expected to be commissioned before the end of the year.
The hospital, in Lupane town, will be Matabeleland North Province’s referral hospital and is seen as a game-changer in transforming healthcare access across the province where communities have long relied on mission hospitals.
In an interview, Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo, expressed optimism over progress, saying the pace of construction reflects the Government’s commitment to complete work as soon as possible.
“The construction is progressing well. In the first phase, major works have been completed and what is left are final touch-ups and we are looking at commissioning the hospital in phases,” he said.
Minister Moyo said he was confident that the hospital will open before the end of this year.
“St Luke’s Hospital has for years been operating as the province’s referral hospital although it wasn’t designated as one,” he said.
Minister Moyo said work on several critical components of the hospital is nearing completion .
The central stores are 70 percent complete, with roofing and internal plastering done and ceiling installation finalised. Electrical and plumbing works are underway.
The pharmacy block is 65 percent complete, while the casualty department is at 70 percent, with roofing and interior works almost complete.
Other key departments such as the Outpatients Department (OPD), administration block and staff accommodation have been roofed and work on internal fittings is progressing well.
The eye and dental clinics, paediatric and surgical wards and maternity admissions area are all above 60 percent completion.
The kitchen is 79 percent done and the laundry is at 80 percent, both now roofed and plastered.
Mechanical and electrical subcontractors have also made notable progress, with incinerator casings installed, gas fittings delivered and biosafety cabinets already on-site.
The power substation, essential for uninterrupted service delivery, is at 62 percent complete.
“We are also installing modern medical infrastructure. Gas fittings, sterilisation equipment and biosafety facilities are already on-site, which speaks to our readiness to provide quality healthcare,” said Minister Moyo.
Once operational, Lupane Provincial Hospital is expected to reduce patient referrals to St Luke’s Mission Hospital.
Construction of Lupane Provincial Hospital started in 2004 but was stalled for over a decade due to funding challenges.
Under the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa, the project was revived and prioritised under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which identifies healthcare infrastructure as a key pillar of Zimbabwe’s development agenda.
The hospital is one of several flagship projects in the province being implemented through devolution funds and direct allocations from Treasury.
The completion of the provincial hospital is also expected to ease pressure on Bulawayo’s central hospitals where some of the patients from the province are being referred to.
