Rumbidzayi Zinyuke-Senior Health Reporter
THE University of Zimbabwe’s planned Quinary Hospital is expected to strengthen the country’s capacity to treat complex medical conditions locally, reduce referrals abroad, and develop highly specialised medical skills as construction of the facility progresses.
The hospital will provide super-specialist services for conditions requiring advanced diagnosis and treatment, while supporting medical training and research.
Construction officially began in December 2021, when President Mnangagwa laid the foundation stone at the project site.
The facility is expected to expand access to advanced treatment for conditions such as cancer, heart and kidney diseases, and high-risk pregnancies, reducing the need for patients to travel abroad in search of specialised care.
University of Zimbabwe Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo said the hospital would strengthen the country’s capacity to train medical personnel to super-specialist levels while creating opportunities for research and innovation.
“What this hospital will do is train our medical personnel to the super-specialist level, equipping them with advanced skills in medicine and the delivery of health solutions.
“This will also promote research and generate revenue through specialised services,” he said.
Prof Mapfumo said the facility would transform medical training at the university by exposing students and staff to advanced clinical practice and research opportunities. The hospital will also help retain medical expertise and create opportunities for local specialists to serve patients from other countries.
“This hospital will facilitate the movement of patients and specialists, allowing specialists to provide services from this public facility.
“If this works as intended, the number of people seeking treatment outside the country will be reduced, and we will also be exporting skills,” he said.
The project dovetails with the country’s push towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which seeks to improve access to quality healthcare, strengthen human capital development, and build resilient public infrastructure in pursuit of Vision 2030. Expanding specialist services locally could also ease the financial burden on patients and their families by reducing travel and accommodation costs associated with seeking treatment abroad. However, affordability will depend on how the services are financed and made accessible to the public.
Prof Mapfumo said preparations for procuring medical equipment have been undertaken, with the university continuing to engage the Government, which has supported the construction project, on the resources required to equip the facility.
“The construction of the infrastructure is only one part of establishing the hospital.
“We have worked on the requirements for procuring equipment, and we are continuing to engage the Government to ensure that the necessary resources are available,” he said.
Prof Mapfumo noted that some equipment will need to be installed before construction can be completed in certain areas, making timely procurement critical to the hospital’s eventual commissioning. The oncology unit had taken longer than initially anticipated because of technical issues and licensing requirements associated with radiation equipment. Prof Mapfumo said the university has since addressed the challenges, with construction progressing alongside work on other specialist units and advanced laboratories. The hospital will also complement the recently opened University of Zimbabwe Specialist Medical Centre, which is already providing eye and oral healthcare services.
University of Zimbabwe Director of Engineering, Infrastructure and Estates, Engineer Tinotenda Dzadagu, said construction is being implemented in two phases, with the first comprising seven blocks.
“The project is being implemented in two phases. Under Phase One, we have seven blocks, which include the administration block, outpatient department, pharmacy, cardiology, oncology, laundry and maintenance blocks,” he said.
Eng Dzadagu said Phase Two will expand the hospital’s services to include renal care, foetal and maternal medicine, as well as public and environmental health facilities. Phase One is expected to be completed by the middle of next year, while Phase Two is projected to be completed by the end of 2028.
“In terms of construction, we are happy with the progress and the timelines. The project is moving forward in line with the two-phase implementation plan,” he said.
Supporting infrastructure, including a laboratory, is also being developed to enable the hospital to provide the full range of planned services.
This investment supports NDS2’s human capital development objectives by strengthening local medical expertise, expanding access to advanced treatment, and creating opportunities for research and innovation.
