Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu, Health and Gender Editor
MASSIVE renovations are underway at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo as the Government moves in to transform health care service delivery in the southern region through mordenising key infrastructure at public hospitals.
The major renovations being undertaken by the Second Republic at Mpilo, are the first since the hospital opened its doors in 1958.
True to President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind”, the development follows a similar programme recently initiated at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare.
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.
Yesterday, the news crew witnessed the teams at work on the ground at Mpilo Central Hospital with projections that the first phase of the renovations will be completed in three months.
Prevail International Group has been contracted to undertake the renovations and has stripped the “C” block of all fittings, doors, windows, tiles and other accessories as they prepare to install new fittings.
The same contractor started similar works at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare in July.
Mpilo Central Hospital Clinical Director, Professor Solwayo Ngwenya, explained the scope of renovations that commenced recently at the giant facility.
“This planned development is quite a massive undertaking, it shows how the Second Republic’s strategic planning for the next few years works. They are going to work on all these blocks removing everything. Once this work is completed, we will have a new look Mpilo,” he said.
Prof Ngwenya said once the renovations are complete, patients will enjoy improved healthcare services.
“ We are really excited about the developments and we are therefore looking forward to the completion of work which will positively impact on the people’s livelihoods,” he said.
Mpilo Central Hospital is the largest hospital in the region and serves Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South, the Midlands and Masvingo provinces.
Prof Ngwenya said most of the buildings at the hospital were in a dilapidated state and the renovations were therefore very welcome. “Some sections of the hospital were no longer fit for purpose hence we commend Government for taking such a bold move to upgrade the buildings. This is the first massive renovation to be done since the hospital opened many years ago,” said Prof Ngwenya.
He emphasised the need for a transformation of culture in order to safeguard the infrastructure and equipment.
“Now that the Government is spending a lot of resources to renovate buildings and upgrade infrastructure, we expect staff and patients to reciprocate by ensuring the hospital property is protected.
We need individuals that are very disciplined and appreciate that these resources, equipment and buildings belong to them,” said Prof Ngwenya.
Acting operations director, Mr Phineas Sithole, also weighed in on the renovations and explained how the exercise will make the hospital an institution of choice.
“They are doing renovations, refurbishment and improvements of the existing structure. They started on the 13th of October when we evacuated our wards and moved our patients to other wards,” said Mr Sithole.
He said the entire hospital will be upgraded and this involves renovating buildings and replacing fittings.
Mpilo Central Hospital recently received a state-of-the-art C-Arm machine, which is an image intensifier used during surgery that provides real time x-ray images helping surgeons in visualising internal structures and guiding interventions with precision.
This is seen as a step forward in providing advanced treatment for patients.
Authorities at Mpilo said the renovations have come at an opportune time as most of the 67-year- old hospital’s buildings are now dilapidated.
“It was long overdue, the renovations will solve a lot of problems that we have here like roof leakages, cracked floors and broken windows,” said Mr Sithole.
He also spoke on the need to guard jealously the new infrastructure.
