Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, [email protected]
THE Redcliff community has received a major boost following the resumption of healthcare services at Torwood Hospital, which has been lying idle for more than a decade.
Formerly owned by the now defunct Ziscosteel, the hospital was purchased by an individual who also failed to viably operate it resulting in the facility turning into a white elephant since 2012.
Redcliff Municipality, using devolution funds, purchased the hospital together with Bale Medical Centre to the tune of US$650 000 and, with assistance from Government, renovated the two institutions to serve the local community.
With a population of 41 000 people and 1 263 households, the Redcliff community has been relying on Rutendo Clinic, which offers primary healthcare with locals travelling more than 15km to Kwekwe General Hospital for further services.
With a capacity of 70 beds, Torwood Hospital has opened doors to the public starting with outpatients only, a move which has been met with joy by the local community.
Kwekwe District Medical Officer, Dr Nyasha Masunda, said at the moment the hospital was offering outpatient services only since renovations were still ongoing.
“When fully operational, the hospital is able to offer everything that is offered by a district hospital including maternity, antenatal, prenatal and postnatal services and other general services,” he said.
“We are not yet providing in-patient services due to the ongoing renovations but surely it has brought joy and relief to the local community.”
Dr Masunda said a resident medical doctor has since been assigned to provide services at the hospital.“We already have a resident doctor, which means that patients will not have to travel long distances to access health care services. This means that the Torwood, Rutendo and Redcliff communities, as well as those from surrounding areas will get health care services from this institution,” he said.
Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Cde Owen Ncube, who recently toured the facility to assess progress said the development was in line with the Second Republic’s policy of providing accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services to communities.
“The New Dispensation, under the able and visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, has taken strategic policy decisions to transform and provide quality health for all by 2025, underpinned by equitable development that leaves no one and no place behind,” he said.
“Pursuant to this transformative agenda, the Second Republic is seized with implementing reforms in the health delivery system by re-equipping and upgrading existing hospitals and clinics and building new ones in a bid to expand and upgrade essential health infrastructure. The hospital was built using Devolution Funds availed by the Second Republic.”
Minister Ncube said the Government will continue to support the development of the hospital. “As you may be aware, our journey to bring Torwood Hospital back into full operation has been a collaborative and rigorous process. Since the commencement of this initiative, my office has engaged with various stakeholders, worked tirelessly to address operational challenges and significant strides have been made towards revitalising this key health institution,” he said.
“We thank the Government for its commitment and hands-on approach to ensuring the resuscitation and modernisation of Torwood Hospital.”
Online Reporter