Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
THE Midlands Province is strengthening access to specialist orthopaedic care through a trauma surgery camp at Gweru Provincial Hospital, where patients with fractures and trauma-related injuries are receiving critical treatment.
The week-long programme has so far seen 18 patients successfully undergo surgery, with the hospital targeting at least 30 operations by the end of the exercise.
Gweru Provincial Hospital, the province’s main referral centre, continues to face a rising number of trauma cases linked to road traffic accidents along the Harare–Bulawayo and Harare–Beitbridge highways, as well as mining-related injuries.
Hospital authorities say increasing patient numbers, limited theatre space and shortages of specialised surgical implants have previously delayed urgent procedures, leaving some patients in prolonged pain and unable to work.
Head of Surgery at Gweru Provincial Hospital, Dr Brian Paketh said the initiative was introduced to clear the growing backlog of untreated cases.
“We are inundated with a high number of trauma cases, particularly in the surgical unit. Trauma occurs throughout the province due to several major roadways, while mining activities also contribute significantly to the injuries we handle,” he said.
“Because of the large numbers of patients and limited theatre space, we are sometimes unable to treat cases promptly. At times, we also do not have the required implants to fix fractures or manage injuries involving internal organs.”
Dr Paketh said the trauma week allows the hospital to dedicate available theatre time to patients who had been waiting for surgery.
Head of the Anaesthesia Department, Dr Prince Tinei Murambi said some patients are also benefiting from advanced pain-management techniques during surgery.
“One of the patients had a fractured forearm. We used a specialised technique called a brachial plexus block, which numbs the nerves supplying the upper arm, allowing us to operate while the patient remained fully awake,” he said.
Among the beneficiaries is Ms Rumbidzai Musekiwa who is recovering after surviving a crocodile attack earlier this year.
“I screamed as I was dragged into the water. I fought the crocodile for about 30 minutes while people called for help,” she said.
“My thigh is healing well and I now have an implant.”
Hospital authorities say plans are underway to make the trauma surgery camp a quarterly programme as part of efforts to reduce surgical backlogs and decentralise specialist orthopaedic services across the province.
