Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
THE number of specialist doctors at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital — Manicaland’s referral health institution — has risen substantially, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare delivery in the province.
Manicaland Provincial Medical Director, Dr Munyaradzi Mukuzunga said the increase in medical experts at the hospital is a welcome development, particularly in terms of its positive impact on patient care.
He was speaking during an interactive meeting with Heads of Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in Manicaland last week.
“We are very happy that the number of specialists at the provincial hospital has actually increased. This means that more patients can receive specialised care closer home, reducing the need for referrals anywhere else or the need for patients to visit private clinics,” he said.
The meeting, according to Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Abiot Maronge, was aimed at reflecting on the major achievements attained by various departments in the province in 2024.
It also served as a platform to discuss strategies to accelerate the implementation of ongoing and upcoming projects by MDAs in Manicaland.
Dr Mukuzunga highlighted that the complement of specialists now includes internal medicine specialists, anaesthetists, orthopaedic surgeons, and paediatricians, among others.
He said the coming in of more specialists has helped to ease pressure on the hospital’s general practitioners and improved patient outcomes.
“Having specialists on-site means faster diagnosis, more precise treatments, and a reduction in the number of patients who need to be transferred to other facilities. This is a major score for the entire province, and we are committed to continuing on this trajectory,” he said.
Dr Mukuzunga acknowledged that the availability of qualified personnel is critical in sustaining the progress made so far.
“Our goal is to make Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital a centre of excellence in the region. We want patients to know that they can receive high-quality specialised care right here in Mutare,” he said, adding that plans are underway to build a maternal and paediatric wing at the health institution to further enhance service delivery.
“This move will go a long way in actually decongesting the hospital and creating more space for critical cases. A dedicated maternal and paediatric wing will ensure that mothers and children receive the care they need in a purpose-built environment,” he said.
Dr Mukuzunga said the increase in specialist doctors is part of the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s broader strategy to equip provincial hospitals with the expertise necessary to handle complex medical conditions.
“In the past, many patients would travel long distances for specialist care, which was, not only costly, but also puts lives at risk. Now, with a more robust specialist team, we can handle a wider range of cases right here in Manicaland,” he said.
In an interview, Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr Hilary Makiwa noted that the hospital’s specialist population has been on a steady growth over the years.
“Our provincial hospital has been gradually growing over the past few years. We now have a better complement of specialist doctors, growing from only three specialists to approximately 10 resident specialists. This has been a gradual process, but it shows the commitment to improving healthcare in the province,” said Dr Makiwa, adding that in 2019, the hospital had only a gynaecologist, paediatrician, and general surgeon.
However, over the years, specialists in orthopaedics, internal medicine, anaesthetics, and ophthalmology have joined the team.
“We are also anticipating a neurosurgeon joining us before the end of the year, and there is even a possibility of adding an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. This will greatly enhance our ability to handle more complex cases that previously had to be referred elsewhere.
“We thank Government for the hospital’s growing specialist team as it is an investment in healthcare which also gives hope to thousands of patients in the province who rely on the hospital for critical services,” said Dr Makiwa.
Online Reporter