Story by Ruvarashe Mariga
THE country’s journey towards attaining universal health coverage is on course, with the biggest referral hospital, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, upgrading various health service provision centres under its jurisdiction.
The hospital’s paediatric theatre is nearing completion, the radiology therapy centre has resumed operations, and the Annex Mental Health Facility is being refurbished.
Speaking to ZBC News this Wednesday, the Senior Nursing Officer 2 for Operating Theatre, Ms Madazvipi Musodza, revealed that the newly-constructed Kids Paediatric Theatre is fully equipped with modern equipment to enhance patient care.
“This Kids OR is going to take Care of all the children below the age of 12. So, it means all the specialities starting from neuro, cardiothoracic, Geno surgery, etc, will be done here. So, these theatres comprise of theatre light, we have moved away from theatre light which is mounted on the roof. This one is mobile which makes it easy to focus where the operation is being done, we have the operating tables as well and it has come with its accessories,” she said.
Meanwhile, relatives of patients undergoing treatment at the Radiology Therapy Centre and the patients, expressed gratitude for the improved access to quality cancer treatment, citing significant relief and hope for recovery.
“I had a full blood count of 2,5 instead of 12, so I came here in a near-death condition, but I benefitted immensely from the re-opening of the radiotherapy, otherwise I would have been dead by now,” a patient told the ZBC News.
Another added, “The beginning of working of this machine is a great improvement to my wife’s health because her health had deteriorated that I had almost gave up and I didn’t think she could survive, but since we came here, we are receiving good treatment and good assistance. She no longer feel that much pain so this is good, she can now sit, she can now walk.”
“I am with my young brother who came here unable to walk or eat. We would be dropped off by a car, but today he is able to do everything by himself after he was treated here,” said a relatives of one of the patients.
The hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Terence Mautsi said that the ongoing projects, demonstrate significant progress in improving the country’s health sector, affirming that they are moving in the right direction towards achieving universal health coverage.
“I’m quite happy with the efforts that we are doing as the hospital to ensure that we meet the standards of Universal Health care. This comes from our Universal Health Plan and Parirenyatwa being the flagship, the largest referral centre, we are doing a lot of work to ensure that we provide the services that are required for our patients.
“Renovations are ongoing at Annex Mental Care and really soon we will be receiving back our patients. The idea is that it becomes the shining star that it’s supposed to be. Also, the Kids OR Theatre is state-of-the-art. All these are concerted efforts that management through the Ministry is going to ensure that we deliver Healthcare to the people in line with Vision 2030 so that as we get and approach 2030 we are an upper-middle society,” he said.
The remarkable developments at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals are setting a new standard for healthcare excellence in the country with upgrades giving hope to patients.
