Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
THE Second Republic has commended private sector health institutions for supporting government’s vision to build a sustainable health system in the country.
The private sector is playing its part in complementing government efforts in health service provision.
This Thursday, the St Giles hydrotherapy pool, which is part of the centre’s physiotherapy division, was re-opened after being non-functional for several years.
The hydrotherapy pool was recently renovated by the Henson family to the tune of US$51 000.
Representing Vice President General Retired Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care, Chief Director Curative Services in the Ministry Dr Maxwell Hove commended the staff and management at St Giles as well as the donors for uplifting the centre’s standards.
“I am encouraged by the staff here who are undaunted and continue to do the best they can under the prevailing circumstances. It is our hope that through combined efforts between the government, private institutions and corporates we will be able to achieve and attain world health excellence status in the near future and retain critical health care personnel,” he said.
St Giles board chairperson Mrs Nancy Matshe highlighted some of the challenges being faced by the centre.
“The challenges faced by the centre are largely attributed to obsolete equipment, infrastructure repairs and refurbishments as well as lack of retooling. This inhibits our efforts to assist patients. We also face the challenge of shortage of skilled staff due to the current brain drain of nursing and health staff as well as uncompetitive salaries and benefits. It is our desire to re- establish the centre to enable us to support those in need of rehabilitation in the country,” she noted.
Many people who have passed through the doors of St Giles, are full of praise for the great work being conducted at the centre.
“I was involved in an accident in 2006. I had a decompression at the spinal cord in 2008. After that I came here as a patient I was here for 8 months. When I came here I could not even walk I could not even use my hands, I could not even turn myself for almost three months. I urge everyone in Zimbabwe to lend a hand to St Giles because you never know what the future holds,” said Mr Chamunorwa Nyamukonda board member and former patient.
Established in 1964, St Giles Rehabilitation Centre provides rehabilitation to the injured or sick and returns them to society at the highest physical and functional level as well as providing assessment, therapy and management of children with physical, sensory and learning difficulties.
The centre provides a one stop shop facility for patients, providing physiotherapy, occupational, hydrotherapy, speech therapies and psychology services to adults and children.