By Staff Reporter
HARARE — President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday officially commissioned the refurbished Adlam House and Nurses Home at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, describing the project as a major milestone in the Second Republic’s ongoing drive to modernise Zimbabwe’s public health sector.
The commissioning ceremony comes amid intensified government efforts to overhaul the country’s largest referral hospital following years of deterioration caused by ageing infrastructure, underinvestment and mounting pressure on public healthcare institutions.
The rehabilitation of Adlam House and upgrading works at the Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Ward were undertaken by Prevail International Group as part of a wider phased refurbishment programme at Parirenyatwa.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony in Harare, Mnangagwa said the refurbished facilities symbolised the success of Zimbabwe’s self-driven development agenda.
“Today’s event and the beautifully refurbished infrastructure before us is another confirmation of the success of our development philosophy, ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo’,” said Mnangagwa.
“We are further celebrating unity, hard work and the shared national determination to transform and modernise every sector of the economy, ourselves,” added Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa said the transformation witnessed at Parirenyatwa had been achieved through a “Whole-of-Society Approach” involving government, the private sector and citizens working together.
“No nation or community develops by depending entirely on others.
“It is also commendable that, this exceptional and indeed breath-taking makeover here at Parirenyatwa Hospital was achieved through the use of our own local resources.
“This is how it ought to be,” said Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa added that his administration was accelerating the modernisation of the healthcare system through infrastructure development, improved service delivery and investment in medical technology.
“Modern and digitally enabled medical equipment is being procured and installation is underway across our health centers.
“The pursuit to create a resilient, as well as data and evidence-based national health system, that maximises patient outcomes across rural and urban areas, is being accelerated,” he said.
Mnangagwa also revealed that the Presidential Hospital Renovation Programme was being rolled out nationwide.
“So far work has begun at Mpilo and Sally Mugabe Hospitals as well as here, at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals
“I am particularly pleased with the progress on the refurbishment of Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital,” he said.
Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora said government had recently procured 21 dialysis machines for Parirenyatwa as part of efforts to improve specialist healthcare services.
“Recently 21 Dialysis Machines were procured for Parirenyatwa,” said Mombeshora during the tour.
He added that cancer treatment infrastructure was also being strengthened through revenue collected from the sugar tax.
“Cancer Machines have also been procured using sugar taxes, some are already in the process of being commissioned,” he said.
The event also saw the handover of 3 500 food hampers to health personnel at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in recognition of their contribution to public healthcare delivery.
Mnangagwa said government remained committed to improving conditions for healthcare workers and trainees, while strengthening the country’s health workforce through the Health Services Commission.
“No health system can function without skilled, disciplined and committed professionals.
“The improvements and in some cases, complete overhaul of the student accommodation and welfare facilities here at Parirenyatwa is a glimpse of the environment, which I, as your President, desire for you, our young professionals,” he said.
The refurbishment programme at Parirenyatwa gained urgency after Mnangagwa conducted an unannounced visit to the institution last year and expressed concern over the deteriorating state of the hospital, directing authorities to fast-track rehabilitation works.
Authorities say the revamped Adlam House now includes upgraded accommodation facilities, improved water supply infrastructure backed by boreholes and storage systems, as well as solar-powered backup electricity to minimise disruptions caused by power outages.
Major rehabilitation works at the Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Ward have also included plumbing repairs, replacement of flooring and ceilings, and improvements to nurseries, patient reception areas and infection control systems at the high-volume maternity unit.
Government says the ongoing works form part of a broader national health infrastructure modernisation programme under the National Development Strategy framework, with similar projects underway at major public hospitals across the country.
