Zimbabwe is set to benefit from a major healthcare partnership between the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and Acıbadem Holdings, a leading Turkish medical group now owned by Malaysia-based IHH Healthcare.
The partnership is expected to culminate in the establishment of a state-of-the-art hospital at the NUST campus in Bulawayo.
A contact privy to the details told this publication that discussions are already advanced and the collaboration is set to transform healthcare delivery and medical training in the country.
“Acıbadem Holdings is a major Turkish healthcare institution, now owned by Malaysia-based IHH Healthcare, that operates a network of hospitals and medical centres across Turkey, Europe, and other countries. Founded in 1991 by Mehmet Ali Aydınlar, it provides comprehensive healthcare services, from primary care to complex surgeries and treatments, supported by advanced technology, a professional team, and a comprehensive ecosystem of support services,” the contact said.
According to the contact, the company currently runs 25 hospitals in five countries, offering specialised treatment in areas such as cancer care, radiotherapy, neurology, robotic surgery, ambulance services, and organ transplants.
“The group also has its own university, and part of the plan is to partner with NUST on human capital development, internship placement, exchange programmes and the establishment of scientific networks,” the source added.
The anticipated partnership is being viewed as a game changer for Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector, which has long faced challenges of inadequate infrastructure, limited specialist services, and brain drain in the medical field.
Analysts say the collaboration could help position Zimbabwe as a regional medical hub by expanding access to advanced healthcare and training opportunities.
“This is a progressive move. If implemented, it will bring world-class healthcare closer to Zimbabweans while also equipping our young doctors, nurses, and specialists with international exposure and training,” said Dr Silvia Mairosi, a Harare-based health policy analyst.
Another commentator, Lloyd Muchena, added that partnerships of this nature dovetail with Zimbabwe’s vision of strengthening local institutions while leveraging international expertise.
“It shows that our universities can become centres not just of academic learning but also of practical, world-class service delivery,” the analyst said.
Efforts to get a comment from the Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Professor Mqhele Dlodlo, were futile as his mobile phones were not reachable.
Meanwhile the hospital is established, it will mark one of the most significant public-private healthcare investments in Zimbabwe in recent years, promising to bring advanced treatments and training opportunities to the heart of the country’s second-largest city.
