Story by Memory Chamisa
THE government has expressed satisfaction with the quality of workmanship at Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital, a subsidiary of the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
The commendation follows an assessment tour of the hospital and nursing home, which are currently undergoing extensive renovations and are expected to open to students next month.
Renovation works at the Harare-based institution are nearing completion, with the hospital set to reopen in April this year.
Once operational, Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital will continue to provide specialised maternal services to women in Harare and beyond, with the refurbishment expected to increase patient intake and improve service delivery.
“I am grateful to the work being done here by the government in ensuring women give birth to safe spaces, and I am happy I have given birth today and look forward to coming back to the new facilities,” a mother said.
“This shows the government is committed to ensuring women are taken care of, and cases of maternal death will be reduced. Such facilities must be provided at all maternal institutions,” a patient said.
“We appreciate the work being done. This is a positive step towards maternal health care in Zimbabwe,” a beneficiary said.
The Maternity hospital, which has a bed capacity of 260, is expected to come with improved healthcare services and a reduction of morbidity and mortality rates.
“Upon completion, there is set to be an increase in confidence among patients in their healthcare system, which is the first step to healing and recovery. There is also set to be improved healthcare services and retention of staff because some medical personnel are leaving due to the deterioration of infrastructure,” Principal Nursing Officer, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Matron Nomazulu Mpande said.
“We look forward to the equipment that is going to be installed in all of the referral hospitals, including cancer machines once the renovations are done. This is going to enable seamless treatment for our patients and ensure they are given the best there is to offer. We are happy Treasury witnessed the work the contractor is doing and has given them a deadline,” Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Mr George Guvamatanga, revealed renovations at the maternity home should be done by April.
“The contractor has so far done a good job but they need to hasten the pace as I have instructed them to complete the nursing home by February 14, and the Maternity hospital by April 18. We expect the doors to be open to expectant mothers. We have also, as a government, resolved that the contractor must also supply all the amenities, from bedding, cutlery, to enable smooth transfer, and this is part of the 10 key infrastructure refurbishment plan that will be done across the country’s referral hospitals,” he said.
Government is not only renovating Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, but Victoria Chitepo in Mutare, Mpilo in Bulawayo, and Sally Mugabe in Harare which are also under refurbishment as part of the drive to provide universal healthcare services to all.
