THE Japanese Government has given a USD2, 75 million grant for the procurement of medical consumables and equipment at Harare Children’s Hospital.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
Speaking at the signing ceremony between Zimbabwe and Japan of exchange of notes, Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said this support to revamp the hospital will assist in reducing the infant mortality rate as well as improving healthcare to mothers and their children.
“Through the exchange of notes we are signing today, the government of japan will be supporting the government in equipping Harare Children Hospital with the state of the art medical equipment comprising of bedside intensive care unit, monitors, an ultrasound scope, operation and examination equipment, a portable X ray system, bedside coronary care unit monitors, emergency ventilators, multichannel electrocardiographs, an anesthesia workstation, artificial resuscitators, automated external defibrillator and portable vein finders,” he said.
The Minister also said the Japanese Government in partnership with the Canadian Government through constructing the Harare Children’s Hospital in 1998.
“Furthermore, in 2014, the government of japan donated anesthesia machines, bedside monitors, gastrointestinal fiberscopes, infusion pumps, washing machines and water heaters. This equipment assisted in the smooth running of the hospital,” he said.
The Ambassador of Japan to Zimbabwe Mr Toshiyuki Iwado bemoaned the current state of Zimbabwe’s health system.
“[pullquote]Zimbabwe used to have a well-established health sector through its well organized hospitals like Harare Children’s hospital. However, it goes without saying those standards have become compromised.[/pullquote]
“Of course there is lack of necessary equipment. It has been reported that Harare Children’s Hospital’s neonatal unit does not sufficient equipment to monitor and treat babies, with many patients being turned away without proper treatment.
“But as well as the lack of equipment, hospitals have not been efficiently managed with the result that the environment is not organized or hygienic. When I visited the Children’s hospital recently, I noticed lot of unwanted clutter, such as obsolete or broken down equipment, lying around and a lack of cleaning in some of the wards and toilets,” he said.
The Ambassador added, “I am pleased that 11 hospitals around the country including Harare Children’s Hospital are currently improving their hospital quality management through the 5S-Kaizen-TQM which is being implemented by JICA. Two of the participating hospitals United Bulawayo Hospitals and Gweru General have achieved high rankings in the assessment and now have much more efficient management with the resulting improvement in health delivery for patients.”
Japanese Support for Harare Chidren’s Hospital started in 1991 way before its construction providing USD12, 2 million of grant aid for the rehabilitation of the obstetrics facilities of Harare Central Hospital. In 1996, the Japanese Government provided USD11, 9 million for the construction of the children’s hospital, in the joint project with Canada. In 2001 they donated drugs for the Hospital and subsequently provided new equipment for the Children’s Hospital in 2014.
