Story by Elroi Ngara
ONGOING renovations at the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare are significantly transforming Zimbabwe’s largest referral medical institution, with the latest developments including a newly constructed 21-bed renal unit and a fully equipped paediatric operating theatre, both aimed at improving public access to specialised healthcare.
Among the most notable upgrades is the installation of a modern renal ward fitted with new dialysis machines.
The development will dramatically increase the hospital’s capacity to treat patients with kidney-related conditions, reducing waiting times and enhancing service reliability.
“We are undergoing significant upgrades to our Renal unit, specifically introducing a new 21-bed unit equipped with modern dialysis machines. This expansion will increase our capacity to accommodate more patients, allowing us to treat 63 patients daily across three sessions. By replacing our outdated machines which currently have only six functional units out of 17, we will overcome existing challenges and reduce the backlog.
“With these new machines, patients will receive the required five hours of dialysis per session, improving their overall care and outcomes. Ultimately, this upgrade aims to enhance patient care, reduce waiting times, and provide more reliable services,” the Senior Nursing Officer for Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Pretty Machawira said.
The new Paediatric Operating Theatre is now operational, catering for children aged between zero and 12 years.
“Specifically in the paediatric theatres renovated by Smiletrain. Our motto is ‘Safe Surgery for Every Child.’ We started operations in April with a patient who had a mandible tumour, and the six-hour surgery was successful.
“We aim to provide care for children aged zero to 12 years across various specialities, including neuro, eyes, ortho, general surgery, and plastics. We are happy to have started using the theatres, which are designed to suit children’s needs. My speciality is paediatric surgery, and I have worked on cases like tonsils and hydroceles,” Operating Matron at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Madazvipi Musodza said.
The hospital believes the milestone developments are a show of commitment to providing quality health care to Zimbabweans.
“We are proud to showcase our progress in delivering quality healthcare to Zimbabweans, highlighting two major milestones: our new world-class Renal Unit, set to open by the end of August, which will accommodate 21 patients, and our Paediatric Operating Theatre, renovated with Smiletrain’s support, providing safe surgery for children.
“We look forward to sharing future advancements, reaffirming our commitment to quality healthcare for all Zimbabweans,” the Public Relations Officer for Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Tendayi Terence Mautsi said.
Under the Second Republic, the government is prioritising universal health coverage, hence investments in new and modern equipment as well as infrastructure development to establish and upgrade health facilities across the country.
