Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
THE government’s ongoing health infrastructure and services decentralisation drive is in motion, with the latest being the restoration of Rusape General Hospital’s main theatre which had gone unused for over eight years.
The opening of the main theatre is already changing the face of healthcare, bringing specialist surgeries closer to the community, as patients who require theatre services no longer have to be transferred to Mutare or Harare.
“This is my fourth caesarean operation, and I assumed I would have challenges, but I am happy to say the operation was successful, and as you can see, I have a healthy baby and am relieved that I was not transferred to Mutare or Harare but gave birth here closer to my home,” Yvonne Mushipe said.
Another patient, Mavis Chakanyuka, added, “I am from Headlands, so this is our referral hospital, and I am happy that the staff here is very professional and my operation was successful, but when I got here, I was in a critical condition.”
Specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Elton Sangurayi, who joined Rusape General Hospital in June, said the main theatre is already making a significant impact.
“We have had several hysterectomies, which is removing the uterus through the abdomen, making an incision on the abdomen, or through the birth canal, where a woman won’t even have a scar on her abdomen. We have done more than 15 of those since we started. Fortunately, the hospital has provided us with enough resources. So it has provided us with enough resources and time. We basically operate on Mondays and Wednesdays with the support of Orosabe General Hospital staff, and also from Tarik, Victoria’s Table Hospital. I think we are getting an anaesthetist, Dr Kawome, who is assisting us with those operations. So far, for the operations we have done, they have all been successful, fortunately enough,” he explained.
The reopening of Rusape theatre is part of the government’s wider efforts to expand health infrastructure under the National Development Strategy One (NDS1) and Vision 2030.
Hospitals and clinics are being rehabilitated across the country with new facilities constructed, and medical equipment upgraded to ensure communities have access to quality health services without travelling long distances.
Gratitude and hope now shape patient experiences, as the new theatre delivers life-saving surgeries closer to home, and the government ensures no one and no place is left behind in accessing health services.
