The National AIDS Council (NAC) has invested US$2 million in the establishment of a modern family blood bank and renal dialysis unit at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, marking a significant boost to the hospital’s capacity to deliver timely, safe, and high-quality medical care.
The funding, unveiled during a handover ceremony in Harare recently, is expected to enhance efficiency, safety, and turnaround times in blood transfusion and dialysis services at the country’s largest referral hospital.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Sleiman Kwidini, praised NAC for its continued collaboration with Government in strengthening public healthcare.
“We appreciate NAC’s partnership in improving access to quality healthcare. This milestone will ensure that patients receive specialised treatment on time and closer to where they live,” said Minister Kwidini.
NAC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Bernard Madzima, said the investment is part of NAC’s ongoing strategy to support national health infrastructure and improve access to essential hospital services for all Zimbabweans, including people living with HIV.
“Some of the critical services that need support here are the provision of safe blood and renal care. This is why NAC came in, Parirenyatwa is the main hospital in the country, and we want it to be fully functional and effective,” said Dr Madzima.
He explained that the new family blood bank, located in Ward C10, will ensure timely access to safe blood for patients in need, while the new dialysis unit will ease the burden on renal patients who previously faced long waiting times.
“This equipment is modern and ensures that services are offered at the highest level. While this project is a starting point, we plan to expand similar interventions to hospitals in other regions, especially in the southern parts of the country,” he added.
The US$2 million support package covered both equipment and consumables, with US$900,000 allocated for reagents required for the renal unit.
Patients have already begun benefiting from the upgraded facilities. Ms Linnet Chibema, a dialysis patient, expressed gratitude for the investment, noting that it will reduce delays and improve treatment outcomes.
“We are grateful to NAC for this support. With the new equipment, dialysis will be done on time, and waiting hours will be shorter. However, we still face water shortages that affect machine operations, and some patients travel long distances, so decentralisation would help,” said Ms Chibema.
The initiative reinforces Government’s broader agenda to modernise healthcare infrastructure and ensure equitable access to essential medical services. By enhancing blood safety and dialysis capacity at Parirenyatwa Hospital, NAC is not only improving patient care but also supporting Zimbabwe’s long-term goal of achieving universal health coverage.
In essence, the US$2 million investment by NAC represents a lifeline for patients, a major step toward a stronger, more efficient healthcare system.
