Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke-Senior Health Reporter
NORTON Hospital is set to resume surgical operations for the first time in more than a decade following the refurbishment of its theatre, officials have confirmed.
The hospital, which was taken over by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in March this year from Norton Town Council, has been offering only basic healthcare services, with all surgical cases referred to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare.
Norton Hospital medical superintendent, Dr Simbarashe Matanyaire, said refurbishment works were nearing completion and the theatre would be commissioned before the end of August.
“Our major project at the moment is the renovation of our theatre, which has not been functional for more than 10 years,” he said.
“Once completed, the theatre will mainly be used for caesarean sections, which are the major operations we want to conduct, as well as other minor surgeries.”
Dr Matanyaire said the hospital currently refers between 30 and 40 women every month to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital for caesarean sections.
“With the new theatre, all those operations will be done here at Norton Hospital, saving our patients the time and cost of travelling to Harare,” he added.
The renovations, being carried out with support from the Ministry of Local Government, include structural adjustments, carpentry and ceiling repairs.
New theatre equipment supplied by the Ministry of Health has already been delivered and will be installed once construction is completed.
“We are expecting the construction works to be completed by the end of August. Equipment installation and testing will take another week or two, after which we will begin operations,” Dr Matanyaire said.
Apart from the theatre project, Norton Hospital has drilled a second borehole to improve water supply and is planning to establish a nutrition garden to supplement patients’ diets.
Procurement of machinery, medicines and other hospital equipment has also been boosted through the Health Services Fund.
“These are internal funds raised through user fees paid by patients. We are channelling them towards improving the hospital’s capacity to deliver better healthcare,” said Dr Matanyaire.
Locals welcomed the development, saying it would ease pressure on central hospitals in Harare and improve access to maternal healthcare in Norton.
Ms Faresi Kondowe from Glaudina welcomed the development.
“I was referred here from Sandringham and today I had come for my antenatal check-up, but I was referred to Sally Mugabe Hospital for a C-section.
“This theatre being renovated will enable pregnant women to get all the services in one place.
“This is my first pregnancy, so they could not assist me, but when the theatre is completed it will ensure that all pregnant women get the necessary care,” she said.
Another expecting mother, Ms Pauline Nyakurima from Maridale, said the project would bring relief to expectant mothers.
“In the past, pregnant women would be referred to Sally Mugabe Hospital for caesarean sections, but with the new theatre all that will be done here.
“This is a positive development because sometimes you cannot afford the required fees to have an operation, so this will make life easier for us,” she said.
