Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu, Health and Gender Editor
THE University of Zimbabwe (UZ) will, by year-end, begin manufacturing Large Volume Parenterals (intravenous (IV) fluids or drips) locally, through a multi-million-dollar venture.
The university is also developing an electronic patient management application aimed at storing patient records securely and making health information accessible nationwide.
Zimbabwe imports IV fluids despite the existence of manufacturers such as Datlabs Pvt Ltd in Bulawayo, which previously produced and supplied the essential fluids. However, Datlabs shut down its IV production line in 2006 due to a lack of buyers and late payments, which crippled operations.
In a previous interview, the company revealed that Government, their largest customer at the time, had stopped procuring IV fluids from them, causing the venture to collapse despite its capacity to supply central hospitals, clinics and other health institutions.
The firm indicated that, if revived and supported by a guaranteed market, the business could potentially generate around US$4 million in revenue through local supply and export of the fluids.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), Professor Florence Mutambanengwe, Executive Director of Research, Innovation and Industrialisation at UZ, said the university was pushing for innovation and commercialisation across its departments. She noted that the university plans to introduce a pharmaceutical module and begin with the manufacture of basic items such as IV fluids.
“IV fluids, or the drip, are about 99 percent water, and the actual medicine is less than one percent, in most cases. But when you see an aeroplane landing at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport full of drips, we are simply importing water and a tiny bit of medicine.
“So, we realised if we can get a few million dollars to import equipment, we could significantly reduce that expense, because we already have the water, we can purify our groundwater. Our chemists and researchers have successfully developed the infusions for the drip. We have the capability to produce it ourselves. By the end of the year, I am very sure we will have started making our own drips,” she said.
The university plans to supply the drips to various healthcare centres, in alignment with the national Education 5.0 policy.
“We tried to follow what President Mnangagwa said when he declared 2025 the year for commercialisation. So, we encouraged our innovators to come up with marketable and commercialisable products, in line with our heritage-based Education 5.0 model.
“These products are knowledge-based, developed from bench to market. They begin as research in laboratories, are refined at the innovation hub and that’s what we’re showcasing at ZITF,” she said.
Another innovation under development is a digital platform to effectively manage patient health records across the country.
“The application manages patient records. When you visit a hospital, you’re told to go from one office to another, one takes your blood pressure and jots it down, another checks something else. When you return later, they ask the same questions again. But with this new app, it stores a record of all tests and examinations, securely and confidentially,” said Prof Mutambanengwe.
She continued:
“If you fall ill while away from your usual hospital, the app connects to a centralised system. The hospital you visit can access your records and understand your medical history, which helps in determining the right treatment. For example, in an accident, if a patient is unconscious and allergic to penicillin, the app can provide their medical history, using their name and ID number.”
Prof Mutambanengwe confirmed that the application is still in development, but will be ready soon.
“We are gradually engaging the Ministry of Health and Child Care, presenting what we have developed. It’s similar to our work with the Ministry of Lands, where we showcased a product and were brought on board. We’re hopeful that this one will also be a ground-breaking success,” she said.
She added that Zimbabwe’s pharmaceutical industry holds immense potential and should be fully utilised, especially in light of decreasing donor support.
“We were heavily reliant on imported health products, with many NGOs supporting our healthcare system. But with the US Government scalling back funding, we haven’t fully felt the effects yet — but we will. The President always says, ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’ if we produce our own pharmaceuticals, we won’t feel the full brunt of donor withdrawal. Focusing on local manufacturing will significantly support the nation, reduce our import bill and increase the availability of drugs and medicines,” said Prof Mutambanengwe.
At the trade showcase, the university also displayed a range of products manufactured in-house, including complementary medicines such as skin creams for persons with albinism, sunscreens and cosmetics for those involved in beauty therapy.
—@NyembeziMu
