Source: Presidential ambulance scheme boosts emergency response at St Peter’s Hospital – herald
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke in CHIPINGE
INTERVENTIONS implemented by the Government are transforming healthcare delivery at St Peter’s Hospital in Chipinge, where the recent allocation of two ambulances under the Presidential Emergency Medical Services Scheme has significantly improved emergency response and critical referrals.
The ambulances, coupled with major infrastructure upgrades at the hospital, are strengthening maternal healthcare, diagnostic services and overall patient care at the rural institution, which serves as a referral centre for 18 clinics and a catchment population of more than 100 000 people from Manicaland, Masvingo and parts of neighbouring Mozambique.
Medical Superintendent Dr Steven Mbiri said the new ambulances had greatly enhanced the hospital’s capacity to respond to emergencies, particularly maternal and critical care cases.
“One of the key interventions we got here was the two ambulances we received from President Mnangagwa, and this has significantly improved our referral system, especially for emergencies and critical maternal cases,” he said.
“Since the ambulances came, we haven’t recorded any maternal deaths because we are now able to ferry patients here on time.
The improved mobility is proving vital in a district grappling with high cases of malaria, tuberculosis, pneumonia and road traffic accidents, where delays in accessing higher levels of care can often be fatal.
Maternal health services have also recorded notable improvements, with more women now accessing skilled care on time.
The hospital is currently handling more than 200 deliveries every month, including between 30 and 90 caesarean sections, supported by the introduction of a waiting mothers’ shelter that accommodates expectant mothers from distant communities.
Beyond emergency transport services, the hospital is undergoing extensive infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving healthcare delivery.
A newly constructed pharmacy and isolation ward, together with the installation of a digital X-ray machine, are improving access to medicines and enhancing the early diagnosis of diseases such as tuberculosis.
Efforts to ensure an uninterrupted power supply are also underway, with a 40-kilovolt solar system being installed to support critical departments including the theatre, maternity ward and diagnostic unit.
The solar initiative is expected to reduce dependence on grid electricity and ensure continuous service delivery, particularly during power outages.
The interventions are part of the Government’s broader drive to modernise the health sector and improve access to quality healthcare in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
From improved emergency response to upgraded infrastructure and sustainable energy solutions, St Peter’s Hospital is steadily emerging as a key healthcare hub in the region, contributing to Zimbabwe’s push towards universal health coverage.
The developments are also part of wider national efforts to strengthen Zimbabwe’s health systems under the COVID-19 Response Mechanism, implemented by the Ministry of Health and Child Care with support from the Global Fund and the United Nations Development Programme.
Since 2020, Zimbabwe has received more than US$180 million through the programme to support both the Covid-19 response and long-term health systems strengthening initiatives.
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