Private sector investment is expanding access to specialist healthcare services in Bulawayo, with the newly renamed Sipho Zwana Medical Centre introducing specialised pathology and microbiology services to complement Government efforts to achieve universal health coverage.
The medical centre has been equipped with specialist equipment and expanded services aimed at improving access to advanced diagnostic tests and strengthening healthcare delivery in the region.
Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube said the development supported the country’s health priorities while preserving the legacy of Zimbabwe’s pioneering black medical professionals.
“This is in line with the recently launched National Health Strategy. By honouring the country’s pioneering black medical professionals, we are also preserving our history,” she said.
Cimas Health Group chief executive officer Vulindlela Ndlovu said collaboration between public and private healthcare players was critical to expanding access to quality medical services.
“Healthcare must not be a privilege, we are about pushing access to healthcare. When there is convergence of services, we can achieve a lot. We are increasing access to our specialist services to ensure universal access to healthcare,” he said.
The facility was renamed in honour of Dr Sipho Zwana, Zimbabwe’s first black anaesthetist, who died in 2019 after spending more than five decades serving the health sector.
Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Councillor Edwin Ndlovu said investment in healthcare was essential to improving the well-being of communities.
“When we invest in the health sector, we invest in our well-being, and this leads to a healthier society. The expanded product offering at this healthcare centre increases our capacity to deliver quality healthcare,” he said.
The recognition was welcomed by the Zwana family, with Dr Zwana’s daughter, Thandeka Zwana, describing the honour as a fitting tribute to her father’s contribution to the medical profession.
“This means a lot to us as a family, for my father to be given such an honour for the role he played in laying the groundwork for black medical professionals in the country,” she said.
The expansion of specialist services is expected to improve access to advanced healthcare in Bulawayo while reducing the need for patients to travel elsewhere for specialised diagnostic services.
The initiative also demonstrates the potential of public-private partnerships in strengthening Zimbabwe’s healthcare system and supporting the country’s broader development agenda towards attaining upper-middle-income economy status by 2030.
