By Michael Gwarisa
The National AIDS Council (NAC) has officially handed over two critical health projects, a Family Blood Bank and a Renal Diagnostic Unit, to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, in a move set to boost the quality of healthcare services in Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the handover ceremony on Tuesday, NAC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bernard Madzima said the new facilities represent NAC’s commitment to strengthening the country’s health system beyond the HIV and AIDS response.
We are gathered here to hand over two special projects which we have undertaken with the hospital, the establishment of a Family Blood Bank in Ward C10 and the provision of renal diagnostic reagents to the Renal Diagnostic Unit,” said Dr. Madzima. “We believe these two projects will go a long way in ensuring that patients get quality and effective health services.”
Dr. Madzima said the support to Parirenyatwa Hospital was part of NAC’s broader efforts to integrate HIV, non-communicable disease (NCD), and general healthcare services, in line with the Ministry’s vision for comprehensive health delivery.
“National AIDS Council support has now extended to non-communicable diseases,” he said. “This is in line with the integration of health services as envisioned by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.”
He noted that Parirenyatwa Hospital holds a special place in NAC’s partnership portfolio, having received various forms of support over the years. These include cancer medicines worth US$500,000, hematology reagents worth US$300,000 per year, theatre beds valued at US$500,000, and laboratory reagents worth US$800,000.
Dr. Madzima, who once trained and worked at Parirenyatwa Hospital, said the institution’s strategic importance as Zimbabwe’s leading referral hospital made it a natural partner in NAC’s mission to improve access to essential medical services.
“It is indeed a good occasion to be coming here and be able to give support to the leading hospital in the country,” he said. “May these two projects be used efficiently and effectively to ensure that Zimbabweans get the best health services in line with the country’s National Development Strategy and Vision 2030.”
The handover ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Kwindini, Parirenyatwa Hospital CEO Dr. Magure, officials from NAC and MoHCC, and members of the media.
