Rumbidzayi Zinyuke-Senior Health Reporter
RENOVATIONS are in full swing at Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital and the nurses’ residence at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals as the Government steps up efforts to modernise critical health infrastructure and ensure effective healthcare delivery for all.
At Mbuya Nehanda, demolition works have reached 90 percent completion, paving the way for major upgrades of the iconic maternity hospital.
Meanwhile, work on Adlam House, which houses student nurses as well as the nurses’ residence is 70 percent complete, with the facility set to be commissioned by September 1, 2025.
Prevail Group, the contractor handling both projects, says the upgrades were aimed at delivering safe, comfortable and world-class facilities for both patients and healthcare workers.
During a tour to assess progress yesterday, Prevail’s public relations manager, Ms Tariro Dondo, said major improvements had been completed at Adlam House, including critical plumbing upgrades that had previously rendered most bathrooms unusable.
“We have done the plumbing work, which was critical because most bathrooms were unusable due to serious leakages. We added three additional bathrooms per floor across the three floors,” she said.
Adlam House, which can accommodate 353 female student nurses, had deteriorated to the point where only 40 students could be housed prior renovations.
Male nursing students, previously hosted at the Adlam House extension, will also benefit from ongoing upgrades.
To enhance water supply, eight new boreholes have been drilled, connected to a 30 000-litre reserve tank, while a 120kW solar system has been installed at Adlam House. A similar solar system will soon be extended to the main nurses’ residence.
“A swimming pool has also been added for recreational use. We want the nursing residents to feel at home, with a space that caters not only to their professional needs, but also their wellbeing,” said Ms Dondo.
She added that the team had completed work on the ceilings, flooring, electrical and plumbing and expressed confidence in the quality of renovations so far.
Project manager Ms Vanessa Butao confirmed progress at both sites.
“For Adlam House, we’re now at 70 percent. Roofing and major structural work are done, and we’re preparing for handover by September. At Mbuya Nehanda, we started demolitions last week and we are now at 90 percent. Renovations have reached 15 percent, with aluminium window installations and plumbing fittings already underway,” she said.
She added that the maternity hospital would be transformed into a state-of-the-art facility, with major improvements in patient reception areas, nurseries and infection control systems.
“We’re redesigning the reception and nursery to make the hospital more functional and welcoming. Internally, we are relocating air ducts to the exterior to enhance hygiene,” said Ms Butao.
The ongoing works at Parirenyatwa are in line with President Mnangagwa’s pledge at the start of the Second Republic to prioritise the rehabilitation and modernisation of Zimbabwe’s public health infrastructure, starting with the flagship referral centre.
Shortly after assuming office in 2017, President Mnangagwa declared that no Zimbabwean should be left behind in accessing quality healthcare and outlined a roadmap to uplift facilities beginning with Parirenyatwa, the largest referral hospital in the country.
The President has in the past emphasised that a healthy nation is a productive nation, and that investment in healthcare is central to achieving the country’s development aspirations under Vision 2030.
In support of that vision, the Government recently signed several landmark cooperation agreements with Belarus, including the reconstruction of Central hospitals, procurement of state-of-the-art medical equipment and establishment of local health technology manufacturing partnerships.
The deals, signed during President Mnangagwa’s official visit to Minsk in May, are expected to complement domestic infrastructure development efforts.
These partnerships will also strengthen the country’s diagnostic capacity, expand access to specialist services and boost training opportunities for healthcare workers.
The combined local and international investments reflect a strategic shift towards resilient, modern and inclusive healthcare delivery, bringing Zimbabwe closer to universal health coverage and improved health outcomes for all.
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