Chitsungo District Hospital in Mbire received a consignment of neonatal medical equipment, including Baby CPAP machines, photolamps, and infusion pumps yesterday , as part of a national programme to strengthen maternal and newborn health services across Zimbabwe.
The donation is part of an ongoing health sector initiative aimed at improving the quality of care for premature and sick newborns in district hospitals. The new equipment is expected to enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide lifesaving interventions for newborns experiencing breathing difficulties and other neonatal complications.
Speaking during the handover, the Provincial Medical Director for Mashonaland Central, Dr. Clemence Tshuma, said the support would go a long way in improving neonatal outcomes in rural districts.
“This equipment will help us reduce neonatal deaths by enabling our staff to deliver timely and effective care to infants who need respiratory support and specialized treatment.
Facilities like Chitsungo often serve remote communities where such interventions were previously limited,” he added
Dr. Tshuma added that the Baby CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines will assist newborns who experience respiratory distress shortly after birth.
“While photolamps will be used to treat jaundice a common condition among premature babies. Infusion pumps, he said, will allow precise administration of fluids and medication, improving the safety and efficiency of treatment,” Dr Tshuma said
The District Medical Officer for Chitsungo, Dr. Melody Mupakati, expressed gratitude for the support, describing it as a “milestone in improving neonatal care at the district level.”
She noted that the hospital has recorded an increase in the number of deliveries in recent years, making the new equipment timely and essential.
“We are grateful for this intervention, which will strengthen our neonatal unit and ensure that more babies survive and thrive,” she said.
A nurse at the hospital’s maternity ward, Sister Judith Chifamba, also welcomed the development, saying it would ease the workload and improve service delivery.
“Before, we had to improvise when managing some of these conditions, but now we have the right tools to save lives,” she said.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care has been rolling out similar equipment to other district hospitals countrywide, with the goal of achieving equitable access to quality healthcare for mothers and newborns.
According to the Ministry, improving neonatal care is key to reducing the country’s infant mortality rate and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being.
“This intervention reflects government’s commitment to strengthening health systems at all levels and ensuring that every child has a chance to live,” said Ministry spokesperson Mr. Donald Mujiri.
The new equipment at Chitsungo District Hospital is expected to directly benefit hundreds of newborns annually, improving survival rates and advancing the government’s broader agenda of universal health coverage.
