Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
NORTON Hospital has expanded access to essential surgical services following the commissioning of a fully equipped operating theatre, reducing referrals to Harare and strengthening emergency healthcare at district level.
The facility is improving emergency care, particularly for expectant mothers requiring Caesarean sections, while enhancing the hospital’s capacity to provide critical surgical services.
For years, the theatre remained unused and served as a storage facility, forcing patients requiring emergency surgery to be referred to Harare. Following extensive renovations and the installation of modern equipment, the theatre is now fully operational.
Norton Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Simbarashe Matanyaire, said the refurbishment has significantly improved the hospital’s ability to respond to emergencies.
“This theatre had not been functional for several years. Following the handover to the Ministry of Health and Child Care last year, we began renovating the theatre. We refurbished the entire building and received equipment from our development partners as well as from Government. The theatre is now fully equipped and fully operational. We started conducting surgeries at the end of March, with our first operation, a Caesarean section, performed on 23 March.”
Since reopening, the hospital has expanded the range of surgical procedures it can offer.
“So far, we have successfully carried out 24 Caesarean sections without any complications. In addition to Caesarean sections, we also perform evacuation procedures for miscarriages, manipulation under anaesthesia for patients with injuries, and incision and drainage procedures.”
Dr Matanyaire said the facility has reduced treatment delays by enabling patients to receive emergency care without being transferred to Harare.
“Now that our theatre is operational, we are able to provide these services closer to the community. We no longer have to transfer patients, which is especially important during emergencies. Instead of waiting one or two hours for treatment after referral to another hospital, patients can now be moved directly from the ward into theatre. This has significantly improved access to timely surgical care.”
Residents welcomed the development, saying it has eased the burden of travelling to Harare for emergency procedures.
“Six weeks ago I delivered my baby here at Norton Hospital through a Caesarean section, and I am grateful to the team for the care my baby and I received. As you can see, we are both doing well,” one mother said.
“In previous years we had to travel to Harare for Caesarean sections. Now these services are available right here at our doorstep, and we are grateful,” another resident said.
Another community member said the new theatre had brought essential healthcare services closer to families.
“This is a welcome development. Imagine having to travel all the way to Harare just to visit a relative who has delivered through a Caesarean section.”
The operationalisation of the theatre marks a major step in strengthening district-level healthcare, reducing pressure on referral hospitals and improving access to timely emergency surgical services for the Norton community.
