Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
ZIMBABWE’S efforts to improve rehabilitation services for children living with cerebral palsy have received a significant boost following the donation of specialised rehabilitation equipment worth US$170 000 by the Government of the Republic of Korea.
The equipment was handed over at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital’s Children’s Rehabilitation Unit in Harare on Tuesday as part of the third phase of a long-standing partnership between Zimbabwe and South Korea aimed at improving the quality of life for children with disabilities.
The programme, implemented through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Africa Future Foundation, has expanded rehabilitation services to five additional health institutions across the country, increasing access to specialised care for children living with cerebral palsy.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, South Korean Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Jae Kyung Park, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s health sector.
“The Korean government, through KOICA and the Africa Future Foundation, has implemented this children’s rehabilitation project, and I am happy to witness the third phase handover ceremony. Health, together with agriculture and education, remains one of our priority sectors. The Korean government will continue to support the Government of Zimbabwe in providing better services and opportunities for Zimbabwean people,” he said.
The initiative, which began at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in 2019, was later extended to rehabilitation centres at Bindura and Gwanda Provincial Hospitals. Under the latest phase, services have now been expanded to health institutions in Mutare, Chinhoyi, Masvingo, Gweru and Kwekwe.
Sally Mugabe Central Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Dr Hopewell Muungani, described the donation as a transformative investment in children’s healthcare.
“We are officially receiving specialised equipment valued at US$170 000. This is not just a monetary figure; it is a life-changing investment. Children with cerebral palsy will access high-standard therapeutic interventions that will significantly improve their physical development and quality of life.
“The initiative also empowers caregivers with the knowledge and resources they need to support their children at home. The equipment will have a huge impact on the provision of services for children with cerebral palsy and assist in their rehabilitation so that they can be fully incorporated into society and perform functions consistent with normal child development,” he said.
Dr Muungani noted that the decentralisation of rehabilitation services would allow more families to access specialised care closer to their homes while reducing the burden on referral hospitals.
The programme has already delivered tangible benefits for families caring for children with cerebral palsy.
One parent said the rehabilitation services had transformed her child’s life.
“My child has cerebral palsy, and I have been coming for the past four years. The equipment and therapy have helped so much. My child can now walk on his own and do many things independently,” she said.
Another parent credited the programme for helping her daughter regain mobility.
“Through the programme, my daughter has really transformed and can now walk because of the physiotherapy she has been receiving. Before, I could not afford rehabilitation services, and I am grateful because she can play and interact with other children,” she said.
Health experts say the expansion of specialised rehabilitation services will not only improve health outcomes but also enhance educational opportunities, independence and social inclusion for children living with disabilities.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s drive towards inclusive healthcare and ensure that more children with cerebral palsy receive the support they need to reach their full potential.
