Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
RUSAPE General Hospital has appointed its first ever gynaecologist — in a move aimed at enhancing the provision of healthcare services for thousands of female patients requiring specialist treatment and care.
A gynaecologist was recently seconded to the province’s second-largest medical referral centre, and is expected to commence work on June 1, 2025.
Historically, patients requiring specialist services, including gynaecological care, were referred to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare or other State-run hospitals in Harare.
This process was, not only costly and time-consuming, but also jeopardised patients’ lives, as they often experienced delays in receiving treatment, and had to travel long distances from their homes.
However, this is now a thing of the past, as Government has responded to the people’s calls to decentralise essential services, and bring them closer to the communities.
There are also concerted efforts to upgrade Rusape General Hospital into a fully-fledged central hospital, where all specialist services will be available.
Currently, the hospital, staffed by nine general practitioners, serves as a referral centre for 60 clinics, catering to a population of over 250 000 people.
When contacted, Manicaland Provincial Medical Director, Dr Munyaradzi Mukuzunga referred questions to the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, Dr Stewart Karembo, who confirmed the deployment of the gynaecologist.
He also expressed optimism that the move will significantly enhance services, including maternity operations, and cervical cancer treatment and management.
“The gynaecologist will commence work on June 1, 2025. Previously, all cases requiring gynaecological and cervical cancer services were referred to Mutare. Patients seeking these services were handled at the out-patients department, and then referred to other hospitals. We only offered screening services for cervical cancer, and had to refer patients to specialists for further management and treatment.
“This will be the first time for Rusape General Hospital to have a specialist doctor, and we hope to have more specialists in other fields. The presence of a specialist will significantly impact patient management, bringing expertise that was previously unavailable. For instance, certain types of caesarean operations that general practitioners cannot perform will now be handled locally.
“In the case of fibroids, we previously only scanned patients, and referred them to specialists for treatment. Fibroids are a common condition among women. The specialist’s presence will greatly benefit Rusape and Makoni District as a whole. Currently, there are nine general practitioners at the hospital, and with the arrival of the specialist, two more doctors will be seconded to work under his supervision.
“The arrival of the gynaecologist has necessitated the construction of a new maternity ward to accommodate the equipment and accessories associated with this specialism,” said Dr Karembo, adding that while the calls from stakeholders to upgrade the hospital from a general hospital to a central hospital were well-intentioned, the deployment of specialists should be expedited, given the increasing demand for such services.
He further noted that rehabilitation work on the hospital’s main theatre is nearing completion.
“There is a growing demand for specialist doctors to be resident at the hospital. We require an orthopaedic surgeon, specialist physician, and general surgeon. We frequently receive accident victims, who require the attention of an orthopaedic surgeon. The Harare-Mutare, Rusape-Nyanga, Rusape-Goto, and Nyazura-Murambinda highways, among other roads, are prone to accidents.
“We are currently upgrading our main theatre, which will also be utilised by the gynaecologist. We require between US$6 000 and US$8 000 to purchase gas equipment to make the theatre fully functional.
“Those stakeholders advocating for the hospital’s upgrade to a central hospital are correct, but in the interim, deploying specialists is the most ideal and convenient solution. Upgrading to a central hospital might necessitate a complete overhaul of the existing infrastructure or constructing a new facility, which could be time-consuming,” said Dr Karembo.
ZANU PF Makoni District Coordinating Committee secretary for health, Ms Tariro Mondiwa said specialist doctors, including gynaecologists, play a crucial role in providing quality healthcare services, especially for pregnant women and those requiring specialised care.
“The deployment of a gynaecologist and specialist doctors at Rusape General Hospital is a significant milestone in our efforts to improve healthcare services in Makoni District. This development will greatly benefit our communities, particularly women and children, who previously had to travel long distances to access specialist care. We applaud Government’s commitment to decentralising healthcare services and look forward to further enhancements,” said Ms Mondiwa.
Ms Vivian Mushunje, of Nyazura said many women in rural areas were being left to live with chronic pain after failing to access services at Rusape General Hospital, and lacking the funds to seek specialist care in Mutare or Harare.
“This development is a welcome relief, as women would travel from rural areas to Rusape seeking treatment, only to be referred to Mutare or Harare. This resulted in women living with untreated diseases and pain, as some could not afford the transport and treatment costs. Now, with the services available locally, women’s health is expected to improve. Cervical cancer cases are on the rise, but due to the lack of nearby services, women have been suffering in silence.”
Ms Hellen Mukoyi of Vengere added: “The absence of a gynaecologist had put women’s lives at risk. We are thrilled that this service is now available closer to home and at a public hospital, making it more affordable for most people. We would like to express our gratitude to Government for responding to our concerns. Lives were lost as women struggled to raise funds for treatment, transport, and accommodation. It is not easy to raise money for these expenses.”
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