By Staff Reporter
As Zimbabwe pushes for greater private sector involvement in public healthcare revitalisation, leading healthcare provider Cimas Health Group has once again stepped up to support a critical national health intervention — the recently concluded Egypt–Zimbabwe Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Mission, also known as Open Heart Camp 2.
Held at Parirenyatwa Hospital, the week-long surgical camp was led by a team of Egyptian cardiac specialists working in collaboration with Zimbabwean medical professionals. The initiative successfully delivered life-saving open-heart surgeries to 10 children, aged between six months and ten years, all suffering from congenital heart defects — structural heart problems present from birth.
Cimas also supported the first Open Heart Camp in November 2024, and according to Cimas Health Group CEO Mr Vuli Ndlovu, this ongoing support is rooted in the organisation’s commitment to improving healthcare in line with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, which aims to deliver quality, world-class healthcare for all.
Having supported the first Open Heart Surgical Camp and seeing its impact on paediatric cardiac care in Zimbabwe, we decided to be part of this year’s camp again. This aligns with our purpose to inspire healthier communities,” said Mr Ndlovu.
He described the camp as a key platform for empowering local surgeons in paediatric cardiac care — a field still underdeveloped in Zimbabwe and much of the region. He reiterated that Cimas’ involvement is motivated by a sense of duty rather than profit, saying, “Despite economic headwinds, our determination remains unshaken. At Cimas Health Group, we are not driven solely by profit. Our guiding force is the profound responsibility of saving lives.”
An estimated 4,500 children are born with congenital heart disease each year in Zimbabwe. Access to specialised treatment remains a major challenge due to the complexity and cost of cardiac procedures.
The camp is a shining example of effective Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs), and was made possible through a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Health and Child Care, National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe (NOIC), Embassy of Egypt in Zimbabwe, Gift of Life International (USA), Rotary Club of Harare Central, The Avenues Clinic, and others.
Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Sleiman Kwidini, praised the corporate sponsors for their exemplary commitment to national health goals.
“To our committed local sponsors, NOIC, The Avenues Clinic, and Cimas, your contribution defines true corporate citizenship. You are investing not only in healthcare, but also in hope, in futures, and in the vision of a stronger Zimbabwe,” he said.
Minister Kwidini added that such partnerships align with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which positions world-class healthcare as a foundational pillar of an empowered upper-middle-income Zimbabwe.
He also commended the dedication of Zimbabwe’s health professionals — surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, perfusionists, technicians, and support staff — for their tireless efforts during the camp.
Echoing this spirit of partnership, The Avenues Clinic General Manager, Mrs Sibusisiwe Ndhlovu, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting national health priorities through collaborative interventions.
“At The Avenues Clinic, we strongly believe in partnerships that put people first. Our support in this mission reflects our broader commitment to play our part in enabling access to specialised care for the most vulnerable members of our society,” she said.
