By Helen Kadirire
In the 1970s, entering the medical field as a doctor was a dream many black African children could only envisage, even more so for girls.
For Madeline Nyamwanza, it was the only thing on her mind. As the only female medical student in a class of 25, she graduated to become Zimbabwe’s first black female medical doctor, breaking gender and racial barriers.
Today, the Cimas Group honoured the trailblazer by naming its Harare Van Praagh medical facility after her, making it the second medical centre named after a woman in Zimbabwe.
On the occasion of the naming ceremony, her husband, Eben Makonese, narrated the dedication she had to her job and patients, often leaving the matrimonial home to attend to those in need.
He quipped how she once left their home on Christmas Day to attend to the surgery in case a patient needed attending to.
The ever-supportive Makonese, who has been married to Dr Nyamwanza-Makonese for more than five decades, said he would not have it any other way, as her love and dedication were equally felt in the home.
Cimas Health Group Chief Executive Officer Vuli Ndlovu said the hallmark of Cimas’ service provision was benchmarked by the people driving the facility and not the physical building.
He added that honouring Dr Nyamwanza-Makonese was a testament to the quality of work that the health professionals at Cimas offer to everyone who enters their facilities, similar to that of the woman whose name is engraved on the entrance plaque of the Harare medical centre.
“The facility is more than brick, mortar and advanced medical equipment. To us, it is a representation of the values, compassion and unwavering dedication that Madeline has embodied throughout her career and life,” Ndlovu said.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health and Child Care, Chief Executive Officer of Sally Mugabe Hospital Dr Mungani noted that Dr Nyamwanza-Makonese’s journey was not merely personal but a groundbreaking feat that opened doors for more female doctors to enter the field.
Dr Mungani highlighted that her contribution to maternal and child health, advocacy for women’s education and health equity, and mentorship of younger professionals opened doors for others.
“She exemplified the virtues of pioneering, excellence, service and leaving no one behind. Dr Nyamwanza-Makonese’s life reminds us that progress often begins with individuals willing to challenge established limitations and create opportunities for others.
“Her legacy calls upon us to be forward looking, to embrace innovation, to work across institutional boundaries and to ensure that excellence benefits society as a whole. Let this medical centre stand as a symbol of those values. May its name inspire young people to pursue their ambitions, health professionals to serve with distinction and institutions to recognise that their greatest achievements are realised when their expertise and resources are directed towards a shared purpose,” he said.
