Chronicle Editor
Flora Fadzai Sibanda, [email protected]
NESTLED on a 10-acre piece of land in Bulawayo’s Woodlands suburb, Cure Children’s Hospital symbolises hope for hundreds of children with orthopaedic disabilities around the country.
The state-of-the-art paediatric orthopaedic hospital is Zimbabwe’s first free orthopaedic hospital. It opened its doors in January 2021 and was fully licensed to operate a month later.
It is the only hospital in the country that is offering free orthopaedic treatment to children under the age of 18 years. CURE Hospital in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care is attending to children with orthopaedic disabilities such as clubfoot, knock-knees, bowed legs and unhealed broken bones.
More than 1 110 children have undergone free surgeries which if they were paying would have cost them between US$ 1 500 and US$3 000 each. Orthopaedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the musculoskeletal system.
In 2020, Cure International, a Christian non-governmental organisation joined the Zimbabwe Orthopaedic Trust to establish the Cure Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe which specialises in the treatment and care of children with physical disabilities.
The $5 million hospital was built and refurbished by the trust in partnership with Government and has 42 beds.
Statistics show that more than 370 000 children are living with treatable conditions such as neglected club-foot, bowed legs and knock knees in Zimbabwe.
The country also has approximately 1,6 physicians and 7,2 nurses for every 10 000 people which leaves specialist healthcare services out of reach for many children.
It is estimated that about 53 percent of people living with disabilities in Zimbabwe became disabled before the age of 20 years.
Yesterday, Special Advisor to the President on disability issues, Dr Joshua Malinga toured Cure Children’s Hospital where a new ward is under construction.
He said the hospital is evidence of collaborative synergies between the private and public sector to address the needs and concerns of children with orthopaedic disabilities.
“The successful implementation of our disability responsive policies and strategies can be seen through the great work being done here,” said Dr Malinga.
CURE Hospital executive director Mr Jonathan Simpson said they are upgrading the facility, which used to be an infectious disease hospital for adults so that it meets the needs of children.
He commended Government for its support which has enabled the hospital to work on its expansion projects.
“We are working closely with people like Dr Malinga and other Government officials to ensure that we provide the best facilities for children living with disabilities,” said Mr Simpson.
He said the hospital does not only attend to children living with disabilities but also engages families of children living with disabilities across the country so that they appreciate the importance of sending their children to the hospital for treatment.
Mr Simpson said the hospital has been invited to this year’s Disability Expo where it will showcase the services it offers.
To make the hospital child friendly, the walls are decorated with art and other colourful designs.
The rooms are spacious with elegant child friendly décor and the neatly arranged beds make it easier for each child and mother to enjoy privacy. –@flora_sibanda
Online Reporter