RESPONDING to the shortage of medical equipment in hospitals, Treasury has earmarked USD5 million to address immediate medical requirements at Harare Hospital now Sally Mugabe Central Hospital through what it calls a 90-Day Rapid Plan.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said this during a signing ceremony between Zimbabwe and Japan of exchange of notes for the procurement of Harare Children’s Hospital medical equipment.
“I’m pleased to advise that Government has committed itself to a 90 day Rapid Plan which will look in to the urgent and immediate requirements of Harare Hospital through an allocation amounting to USD5million,” he said.
The Finance Minister explained that this plan seeks to refurbish major hospitals.
“It’s a program that the ministry of finance working with its partner the ministry of health and childcare to revamp the key hospitals in the urban areas. We are starting with Harare hospital and we are delighted to have partnered with Japan on this occasion, Your Excellency. We really appreciated everything you are doing there.
“I’m also aware you are impacting other hospitals so we are going to be a partner in quite a few of our hospitals as we do the around. But the idea is really to deliver a refurbished hospital in 90 days in the form of a new look Harare Hospital. We will be proceeding in other hospitals in Bulawayo, In Gweru, Mutare, just to pick a few. We have a sequence, you know I shouldn’t reveal the exact plan until it’s all clear,” Prof Ncube said.
Prof Ncube said they intend to have achieved their goals this year.
“But we are determined that in the year 2020, at least five hospitals should have at least been refurbished. They should look new and our citizens should feel that their health infrastructure is being improved. It will also enable doctors to work in a refreshed environment. In an environment where they feel proud to work as doctors. Nurses would equally feel proud to work in that environment. That is our 90Day plan, hospital by hospital,” he said.
Harare Central Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr Tinashe Dhobhie thanked the Finance Ministry for allotting the money to see his hospital revamped.
