Government has confirmed that the newly refurbished Mbuya Nehanda Maternal Hospital at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals will officially reopen on Independence Day, marking a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of the public health sector.
The announcement was made during a tour of Parirenyatwa by senior Government officials, on Monday, who expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of the refurbishment works. The reopening will coincide with broader upgrades at the institution, including new nurses’ accommodation and the installation of advanced medical equipment.
Speaking after inspecting the facility, the Permanent Secretary of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, George Guvamatanga said the reopening of Mbuya Nehanda would restore a critical maternal health service.
“The Mbuya Nehanda Maternal Hospital will be opened on Independence Day,” Guvamatanga said, adding that refurbished nurses’ hostels at Parirenyatwa are also scheduled to open on 14 February.
The Minister said the nursing school at Parirenyatwa was between 90 and 95 percent complete, while Mbuya Nehanda was about 60 to 70 percent complete, with remaining work focused on medical equipment, beds, linen and medicines.
“You don’t want to open a beautiful hospital with good beds and equipment but without medication,” the minister said.
He explained that Government has engaged the contractor to deliver the maternity hospital on a full turnkey basis to ensure it opens fully functional.
“When we say turnkey service, all we want is for the doctor to be given the keys, bring the staff, and the hospital is ready to operate fully equipped, beds, linen, teaspoons, cups, everything,” he said.
To meet the reopening deadline, Government will prioritise funding to fast-track the procurement and installation of outstanding equipment, some of which requires longer lead times.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Douglas Mombeshora confirmed that Government has procured two state-of-the-art cancer radiotherapy machines to strengthen oncology services in the country.
“The machines are already in Durban,” Dr Mombeshora said, adding that a Government technical team had earlier this month conducted pre-delivery inspections at the manufacturer’s facility.
The radiotherapy machines, acquired using a US$30 million allocation from the sugar tax, will be installed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare and Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo. In addition, functional older machines currently in Harare and Bulawayo will be relocated to establish new cancer treatment centres in Gweru and either Masvingo or Chinhoyi.
The decentralisation is expected to double public radiotherapy capacity, improve access to life-saving cancer treatment and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances.
Renovations at Parirenyatwa, including the upgrading of Mbuya Nehanda Maternal Hospital and nurses’ hostels, are being undertaken by Prevail International Group under a wider national hospital refurbishment programme.
Government officials said the works form part of a broader shift under National Development Strategy (NDS) 2, which prioritises social services such as health and education, following infrastructure-focused investments under NDS 1.
“This is only the beginning,” the minister said, noting that further upgrades are planned for other departments at Parirenyatwa, as well as at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital and Mpilo Central Hospital.
The developments signal renewed momentum in Government’s drive to modernise health facilities, expand specialist services and improve working and living conditions for healthcare workers, while restoring public confidence in the health delivery system.
