By Kuda Pembere
Over 100 nurses graduated from Chitungwiza Central Hospital (CCH) on Wednesday at a ceremony that coincided with the institution’s 40 years anniversary.
The hospital, which has served the Chitungwiza community for four decades, saw 117 nurses graduate. Of these, 93 were registered general nurses (RGNs) and 24 were midwives.
Officiating at the ceremony, Deputy Health and Child Care Minister Hon. Sleiman Kwidini commended the graduates’ resilience and hard work, which had shaped them into competent health professionals.
Today, we celebrate graduates who have completed a rigorous programme designed to prepare them to serve with competence and compassion. They have been trained in preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative care, and are now equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to meet the evolving needs of our communities,” the Deputy Minister said.
He also reflected on the hospital’s four-decade journey.
“When CCH opened its doors four decades ago, it did so with a bold mission: to provide quality healthcare to the people of Zimbabwe. In that same year, the School of Nursing and Midwifery was established, laying the foundation for the training of healthcare professionals who would carry this mission forward,” he said. “The school’s affiliation with the University of Zimbabwe in 2004 further strengthened its role as a centre of academic and clinical excellence.”
CCH’s chief medical officer, Dr. Raphael Makota, noted that this was the 22nd cohort to graduate since 1985.
“One of our proudest achievements came in 2005, when we became the first public hospital in Southern Africa to be certified by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe. This milestone marked a pivotal moment in our quality journey. Building upon this foundation, we recently adopted the 5S Kaizen Total Quality Management System, propelling us even further in operational efficiency and reinforcing our commitment to service excellence.
“Today, as we also celebrate the graduation of 117 dedicated nurses, the 22nd cohort to graduate since we attained central hospital status, these nurses have demonstrated exceptional dedication and passion as they acquired the skills, knowledge, and compassion essential for providing outstanding patient care.
“Your journey has not been easy, but your achievement today is testament to your hard work, perseverance, and commitment to the noble profession of nursing,” he said.
Dr. Makota highlighted the hospital’s accolades over the years.
“Throughout the years, CCH has remained a beacon of healthcare excellence, consistently winning numerous awards and accolades. From the time of Dr. (Obadiah) Moyo, and I want to say we still continue, we recently won an award at the recently held Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) General Meeting for Corporate Social Responsibility. These recognitions are a reflection of the timeless efforts, tireless efforts, professionalism, and expertise of our talented staff. We take immense pride in delivering patient-centered care that meets and exceeds the expectations of our community,” Dr. Makota said.
Former chief executive and Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Moyo, who oversaw the hospital’s elevation to central hospital status, commended the administration for maintaining quality patient care standards.
