Harare (New Ziana) – President Mnangagwa on Wednesday handed over imaging equipment, ambulances, utility vehicles and dental sets to Parirenyatwa Central Hospital as his government forges ahead with ensuring affordable access to health services for all citizens.
The imaging equipment, some of the latest on the market, was handed over to the hospital’s Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) centre.
The other equipment comprised of 77 dental equipment sets, which include chairs, autoclaves and x-rays, as well as virtual hospital emergency equipment which are a set of 10 000 each comprising digital Blood Pressure machines, oxygen concentrators and gluco-meters.
In addition, the government also procured 36 ambulances, 36 double cab vehicles, 15 trucks for medicine distribution, 15 double cab utility vehicle and 28 staff buses for health service personnel to be distributed to various health institutions countrywide.
President Mnangagwa said his administration gave health top priority and will ensure that the modern equipment procured by government also reaches district hospitals.
“The new 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) being unveiled is a specialised imaging modality with the capacity to perform brain, spine, cardio-vascular imaging and advanced neuroimaging among an array of other functions,” he said.
“This modern equipment will undoubtedly enhance efficient radiology services for our people at public health institutions. As our country’s largest teaching hospital, it is befitting for Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals to have this kind of equipment which will also facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment of persons in house. The hospital must ensure that this service is affordable to the general public. This is what we mean when we say no one should be left behind,” he added.
Before the installation of the new equipment, patients requiring imaging services were getting the service at Sally Mugabe hospital and private facilities.
“Similarly, my administration is reviving public dental institutions and an assortment of dental equipment will be distributed to our government (health) centres. This thrust to equip our hospitals is ongoing and the Zanu PF government will continue making sure that all our health facilities provide quality, accessible and affordable health care and specialist services to our people,” President Mugabe said.
He pledged to continue to improve the working conditions of all public employees, in particular the health sector.
“The improvement of conditions of service for all public sector workers including health workers is ongoing. The spirit of going on strike should leave you,” he said.
Health and Child Care Minister, Constantino Chiwenga, who is also Vice President, said Mpilo hospital MRI unit was undergoing renovations and would start offering services soon.
“Mpilo MRI centre will be operational soon to cater for the southern part of the country. We are quite confident that in the next six weeks it will be operational,” he said.
New Ziana
