Online Reporter
Catherine Murombedzi
Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwe is seeing a meaningful shift in specialist healthcare. Supported by new technology and collaborative public-private partnerships (PPPs), Zimbabwe is building a more resilient healthcare system that nurtures medical expertise and delivers improved outcomes for both children and adults.
Patients no longer need to fly out for oncology, cardiology, or gastroenterology, among other things. Zimbabwe now has one of Africa’s seven hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) specialists – highly trained surgeons who diagnose and treat benign and malignant diseases of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts.
Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals has resumed open-heart procedures for both children and adults. The facility stopped cardiac surgery in 2018 and resumed in 2023.
With a new Stöckert S5 heart-lung machine installed in late 2024, Parirenyatwa now offers subsidised surgeries to patients.
Each year, hundreds of children are born with heart defects and hundreds of adults wait for surgery due to rheumatic heart disease. Since re-opening, the team has completed 60 operations, giving families a local option when trauma or illness affects the heart.
This progress is also about teamwork. Parirenyatwa partners with Egyptian doctors, the Rotary Club of Harare Central and Gift of Life International to run surgical camps and build local capacity.
As these advancements take root, a self-sustaining healthcare system in Zimbabwe feels more tangible — one where medical expertise is nurtured, retained and benefits the whole nation.
In a telephone interview, Dr Vivek Solanki of the Trauma Centre said four super-specialists are returning home this year to practise cardiac care.
“These cardiac surgery super-specialists will be joining others already practising in Zimbabwe, meaning Zimbabwean patients are directly benefiting from their expertise. Cutting-edge innovative tools required in modern medicine have been acquired to make this possible,” said Dr Solanki.
As Zimbabwe invests in cutting-edge solutions, attracting and retaining skilled practitioners becomes more viable. That creates a stronger environment for patients and professionals alike.
Dr Solanki puts it plainly: “The introduction of advanced cardiac technology brings out precision in procedures that can only be performed using cutting-edge tools.
“Cutting-edge tools are not just a technological upgrade; it represents a commitment to improving patient outcomes and elevating our healthcare standards. By integrating such innovative tools, we are not only enhancing our capabilities but also inspiring our talented professionals to contribute to our nation’s health sector,” he said.
The tide is turning because Zimbabwe is creating conditions where expertise can grow and serve at home. Every machine installed, every team trained, every specialist who serves in Zimbabwe strengthens a system built for Zimbabweans, by Zimbabweans.
