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Joseph Madzimure
Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN health experts based in the United Kingdom are working with the Catholic University of Zimbabwe (CUZ) on a US$450 million project to develop a medical school, teaching hospital and pharmaceutical plant next to the university’s campus along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo (Airport) Road in Harare.
The facility is being set up within the Medical Enterprise Economic Zone, anchored around academic medical teaching, research, and highly specialised clinical services.
The Catholic University will also offer the medical degrees as the university partner.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Colonel (Retired) Christian Katsande said Professor Ian Chikanza, a Zimbabwean consultant physician in Rheumatology (Adult & Pediatric) based in the United Kingdom, was working with the Catholic University of Zimbabwe (CUZ) on the project to develop a medical school, teaching hospital and pharmaceutical plant.
This was part of efforts to engage investors in line with the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra.
Ambassador Katsande said that the initiative was envisaged to strengthen the healthcare system in Zimbabwe, making Harare a leading centre of medical excellence in Africa.
“This facility is also expected to lead in drug development and production as well supply the much-needed generic drugs in Zimbabwe and SADC member states.
“This state-of-the-art teaching hospital is expected to provide highly specialised medical services and attract medical tourism,” said Ambassador Katsande.
A pharmaceutical company would also be established to ensure that all drugs were available for the medical centre and other hospitals in Zimbabwe and the region.
“The funding for the project is being pursued.
“The entire investment is estimated to cost US$450 million.”
The project will include a US$120 million 200-bed hotel for medical visitors/tourists to be built not too far from the hospital site and GE Healthcare will provide the majority of the latest state-of-the-art medical equipment.
The hospital will be paperless and will use the latest electronic health records system being developed by a team set up by Prof Chikanza.
The embassy is also engaging Zimbabwean professionals in the UK health sector to set up the Zimbabwe-UK Health Alliance.
“The alliance is envisaged to be an umbrella organisation for UK institutions and organisations undertaking healthcare capacity building activities in Zimbabwe.
“It is expected to be a mechanism to support and better coordinate its member organisations and ensure that their activities are in sync with the priorities of the Zimbabwe Government.”
The main objective of the health alliance was to support healthcare and the public sector in Zimbabwe.
It will focus on identification and evaluation of health challenges in Zimbabwe and provide innovative interventions drawn from the expertise, experience and skill set of its members and partners.
The Zimbabwe-UK Health Alliance is also expected to provide a platform to explore opportunities for learning and development for health workers and institutions in both Zimbabwe and the UK.
It is also aimed at improving coordination among UK organisations’ activities and contributions to the health sector in Zimbabwe, facilitate training and exchanges of knowledge and expertise, and coordinate outreach programmes and volunteering activities by Diaspora health practitioners.
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