Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
GOVERNMENT interventions are transforming emergency response, maternal healthcare and diagnostic services at St Peter’s Hospital, with new ambulances and infrastructure upgrades improving healthcare delivery for more than 100 000 people.
The hospital, which serves communities in Chipinge, parts of Masvingo and neighbouring Mozambique, has benefited from ambulances donated by President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa and upgrades being implemented through the United Nations Development Programme under the Global Fund.
The institution, now a referral centre for 18 clinics, handles a high burden of malaria, tuberculosis, pneumonia and road traffic accident cases.
Medical Superintendent Dr Steven Mbiri said the interventions have significantly improved emergency referrals and maternal healthcare.
“One of the key interventions we got here was the two ambulances we received from President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, and this has significantly improved our referral system, especially for emergencies and critical maternal cases. Since the ambulances came, we haven’t recorded any maternal deaths because we are now able to ferry patients here on time,” he said.
The hospital is now recording more than 200 deliveries each month, including between 30 and 90 caesarean sections, supported by a waiting mothers’ shelter that is improving access to skilled care.
Patients praised the quality of care and improved emergency response systems.
“I was ferried here using an ambulance from our local clinic, which is about 80 kilometres away, and when I got here, I was attended to promptly,” one patient said.
Under the COVID-19 Response Mechanism, the hospital has also received a newly constructed pharmacy, an isolation ward and a digital X-ray machine to strengthen diagnostics and access to medicines.
“We got funding under the COVID-19 Response Mechanism, and all these developments are improving patient outcomes,” Dr Mbiri said.
A 40-kilovolt solar power system currently being installed is expected to provide reliable electricity for critical departments, including theatre, maternity and diagnostic services, reducing dependence on the national grid.
The upgrades form part of broader efforts by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, supported by the Global Fund and implemented through UNDP, to modernise Zimbabwe’s healthcare system.
Since 2020, Zimbabwe has received more than US$180 million under the COVID-19 Response Mechanism to support both emergency response and long-term healthcare transformation.
