Recently, President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially opened United Bulawayo Hospitals Orthopaedic Centre and COVID-19 isolation centre in Bulawayo as part of Government’s thrust in adding more health infrastructure in line with Vision 2030.

President Mnangagwa expressed his gratitude in commissioning such health infrastructure which was put in place with a view to transform public health.

 “It is my honour and privilege to address you at this occasion as we witness the commissioning of this state of the art paediatric orthopaedic centre and the Covid-19 isolation and treatment centre, here at the United Bulawayo Hospitals.

“This achievement is a testimony of the fact that the bold and strategic decisions taken by the Second Republic to stabilise, restructure and reform the public health sector in our country are yielding fruit,” said President Mnangagwa.

The Second Republic has been fostering the spirit of togetherness through synergies for the benefit of citizens and that the Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe will be beneficial in carrying out corrective surgery.

“It is a result of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe Orthopaedic Trust and Cure International.

The centre will improve access to specialist orthopaedic surgery and corrective care for children with conditions such as clubfoot, bowed legs, knock knees, rickets and cerebral palsy, among other challenges,” said President Mnangagwa.

The President spoke highly of the training aspect attached to the project which he said enables knowledge and skills transfer to locals.

“The decision by the Zimbabwe Orthopaedic Trust to provide capacity building and training in orthopaedics to the staff here at United Bulawayo Hospitals speaks to my administration’s drive to fill the manpower skills gap through specialised education and training,” said the President. 

Turning to the opening of the UBH Isolation and Treatment Centre, President Mnangagwa commented Sakunda Holdings for such a gesture that goes a long way in uplifting the country’s health delivery system and invited other players in the private sector to follow suit.

“I commend the Arundel Sakunda Group for complementing Government efforts towards the establishment of this strategic Covid-19 isolation and treatment facility. 

“The kind gesture and act of good corporate citizenship is worth emulating. I thus invite other private sector entities to continue to utilise the health sector coordinated framework as we build sustainable institutions and systems for the post-Covid-19 era,” said President Mnangagwa.

Speaking on the same occasion, Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Constantino Chiwenga said the partnership between the Ministry of Health and the private sector had the potential of bringing a better and equipped public health sector.

“This momentous occasion bears ample testimony of the low hanging fruits of the cordial Public-Private Partnership (PPP) that exists between the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Zimbabwe Orthopaedic Trust. The achievement is historic and set to transform the face of Public Health, particularly in this province” said Dr Chiwenga.

The Bartley Memorial Block was a convalescent ward for the elderly for several years. When COVID-19 came, it was converted into an isolation and treatment centre with Government of Zimbabwe funding it to the tune of ZWL$103 million. Then Sakunda Holdings through the Arundel Hospital came in with medical equipment for the facility.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Orthopaedic Trust renovated the Robbie Gibson hospital which was gutted by fire on 23 August 2013. ZOT will operate the surgical hospital that will provide orthopaedic surgery primarily to children.

Other notable attendees were Ministers Judith Ncube, July Moyo, Oppah Muchinguri- Kashiri, Professor Mthuli Ncube, Dr A. Masuka, Mangaliso Ndlovu and Deputy Minister of Health, Dr John Mangwiro and senior Government officials.