Story by John Nhandara
MAJOR refurbishment works at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals are nearing completion, with authorities reporting significant progress on the rehabilitation of the Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital and Adlam House nurses’ residence.
The country’s largest referral health institution is undergoing an extensive upgrade programme aimed at modernising critical infrastructure, expanding capacity and improving conditions for both patients and healthcare workers.
On Thursday, Special Adviser to the President responsible for Monitoring Implementation of Government Projects, Joram Gumbo, toured the facility to assess progress on the works.
“I came to inspect these rehabilitation works and am pleased with the progress. I have been told they are 95 percent complete with the School of Nursing residence,” Dr Gumbo said.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care says the upgrades are designed to address long-standing infrastructure challenges, particularly at Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital, which has been operating for more than six decades.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Aspect Maunganidze, said the refurbishment would significantly enhance maternal healthcare services.
“Our infrastructure has been dilapidated. Areas we earmarked in the first phase include Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital, which has been in existence for more than 60 years, and its general state was no longer fit for purpose. At the School of Nursing’s Adlam House we are more than 95 percent complete. At Mbuya Nehanda we now have 300 beds in the hospital and an increase in theatres,” he said.
Officials say the expanded bed capacity and additional theatres are expected to improve service delivery and contribute to efforts to reduce maternal mortality.
Beneficiaries welcomed the development, saying improved facilities would enhance safe delivery services.
“It will help us have safe delivery of our babies. This will go a long way in reducing maternal mortality. We are happy with these refurbishment works as they will help expecting mothers,” they said.
Harare Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Charles Tawengwa, said the rehabilitation programme followed a visit by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who recommended urgent upgrades.
“The President visited this place and suggested that we embark on a rehabilitation programme. We are witnessing that transformative journey,” he said.
The refurbishment forms part of broader efforts to modernise public health institutions, with authorities indicating that infrastructure renewal remains central to strengthening Zimbabwe’s healthcare delivery system.
