Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma in Plumtree
MATABELELAND South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, has emphasized the important role private healthcare players will play in achieving Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030.
Minister Nguluvhe made the remarks during the official opening of Lady Coletta Private Hospital, the first private hospital in Plumtree town, yesterday.
The state-of-the-art 40-bed facility, conceptualised in 2024, offers a range of specialist services including primary health care, X-rays, physiotherapy, laboratory tests, dental care, paediatrics, maternity, and family health services.
Phase One of the hospital’s construction established 25 beds, while Phase Two, expected to be completed before the end of the year, will add the remaining 15 beds.
The hospital features several specialised rooms such as a casualty ward, resuscitation room, observation room, laboratory, high-dependency unit, male and female wards, paediatric ward, neonatal and postnatal units, antenatal rooms, and a labour ward.
The commissioning of Lady Coletta Private Hospital is set to complement Plumtree District Hospital, which has been the sole health facility serving Bulilima and Mangwe districts.
Addressing hundreds who attended the opening, Minister Nguluvhe said the hospital aligns perfectly with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030.
“The opening of Lady Coletta Private Hospital aligns with President Mnangagwa’s vision to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy, where our people enjoy world-class services, including in critical areas such as healthcare.
“For too long, district towns like Plumtree have relied solely on overstretched government facilities and made long journeys to urban centres like Bulawayo for specialised care.
This facility represents a deliberate step forward, ensuring that people of Bulilima, Mangwe, and surrounding areas can now access specialist medical services right here at home,” he said.
Minister Nguluvhe emphasized that the hospital is not in competition with government health institutions but rather a complementary facility.
“This hospital will not only treat illnesses but also address the frustration of long trips to Bulawayo just to see a specialist. From now on, internal physicians, surgeons, paediatricians, orthopaedic specialists, and gynaecologists will come here to you. It is healthcare coming home.
“Lady Coletta Private Hospital complements government’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and sets a benchmark for quality and innovation we hope to see replicated across all under-serviced districts of Zimbabwe,” he added.
“Let me be clear: this hospital is not here to replace government facilities like Plumtree District Hospital or surrounding clinics. Instead, it will work hand in hand with them, sharing knowledge, reducing overcrowding, and ensuring every patient in this region—whether walking into a public or private facility—can receive timely, quality care.
“We know our public hospitals are doing their best, often with limited resources. A facility like this eases the pressure while raising the bar for service delivery. It is a win-win for everyone. This collaboration strengthens our healthcare system as a whole, rather than working in isolation,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Deputy Minister Dingumuzi Phuti, who is also Bulilima Constituency representative, welcomed the improvement in the health sector.
“Today is a special day because our pleas are being answered. For someone from as far as Makhulela to seek specialised medical attention in places like Bulawayo is now a thing of the past.
“This development should bring about significant improvement in healthcare within Bulilima and Mangwe districts,” said Deputy Minister Phuti.
Also present at the event were Chief Mphini, Chief Madlambudzi, Chief Hikwa, Chief Wasu, Chief Tshitshi, Zanu PF central committee member Cde Mika Mpofu, Zanu PF Women’s League chairperson Cde Sindisiwe Nleya, Zanu PF
Bulilima and Mangwe DDC members, Mangwe Rural District Council officials, senior government officials, and others.
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