President Emmerson Mnangagwa has commissioned the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Industrial Incubation Centre and Specialist Medical Centre, describing the facilities as key milestones in the Government’s drive to accelerate industrialisation, innovation and healthcare modernisation.
The facilities form part of the University’s innovation ecosystem, which is designed to commercialise research, support technology-based enterprises and expand access to specialist healthcare.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Harare, President Mnangagwa said the projects demonstrate the success of the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model in transforming universities into engines of national development.
“It is my distinct honour and privilege to officially commission two signature developments emerging from the University of Zimbabwe, which are the Industrial Incubation Centre and Specialist Medical Centre.
“Such projects validate the success of the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 Model that continues to position our higher and tertiary institutions as critical cogs in the ongoing industrialisation, modernisation and development of our economy,” he said.
The Specialist Medical Centre, which forms part of the Quinary Hospital under construction within the UZ Industrial Park, will provide specialised services including eye and oral healthcare, trauma care and assisted reproduction through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF).
President Mnangagwa said introducing IVF services at a public institution would make treatment more accessible and affordable for Zimbabweans.
“Health services such as assisted reproduction have been only available in the private sector. This made the services out of reach and unaffordable for many of our people requiring the treatment in this area,” he said.
He said the facility reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for all while strengthening specialist training.
The centre is expected to produce more eye specialists, dentists and other healthcare professionals, complementing the Government’s Presidential Hospital Renovation and Modernisation Programme.
President Mnangagwa also urged the University and other healthcare institutions to invest in modern medical technologies to improve patient care and reduce the need for Zimbabweans to seek treatment abroad.
“All investments in the health sector should translate to improved health delivery and associated foreign currency retention, where our people travel less to other countries for healthcare,” he said.
The President directed the Ministry of Health and Child Care and its agencies to remove barriers to investment in specialist healthcare and warned against cartels that undermine access to affordable medical services.
“My Government will not accept the prevalence of opportunists and so-called health sector cartels and syndicates who operate to the detriment of our people,” he said.
The commissioning of the two facilities marks another step in the Government’s efforts to strengthen innovation, research and specialist healthcare while positioning universities as key drivers of industrialisation and socio-economic transformation under Vision 2030.
