Debra Matabvu
Senior Reporter
In a sweeping move to mend and modernise the nation’s public health, the Government has set aside ZiG4 billion in next year’s Budget for the rehabilitation of major hospitals and the upgrading of ambulance services nationwide.
The funding is anchored on the 2026 Zimbabwe Infrastructure Investment Programme, a blueprint that outlines a clear pathway for upgrading and equipping healthcare institutions from central hospitals down to rural clinics.
An inter-ministerial committee will be formed to steer the project, bringing together the Office of the President and Cabinet, the ministries of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; Health and Child Care and Local Government and Public Works.
This committee will approve designs, manage payments and monitor the progress and quality of works.
“To facilitate predictability and planning of interventions, noting the huge resource requirements, Government will set up a Project Steering Committee,” the programme document notes.
“This Steering Committee will among others, define the scope of works and implementation plan guided by available budget, validate designs and bill of quantities, approve interim payment certificates and monitor and evaluate the performance of projects.”
The plan targets several flagship institutions for immediate attention.
The nursing school at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and the Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital are both slated for renovation and upgrading. In Bulawayo, long-awaited rehabilitation will begin on the wards, theatres and service blocks at Mpilo Central Hospital.
Further developments include completing the first phase of construction at Lupane Provincial Hospital and redeveloping Masvingo Hospital into a centre for diagnosis, teaching and research.
The work is already underway in places, refurbishment of the nurses’ residence at Parirenyatwa is finished, major works at Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital are nearing completion and similar refurbishments are progressing at Mpilo Central Hospital.
“The current initiatives towards rehabilitation and upgrading of Parirenyatwa and Mpilo hospitals will be fully consolidated through establishment of a clearly defined pathway and implementation plan aligned to financial capacity,” the Government’s programme further notes.
Beyond the bricks and mortar, the investment is also directed toward vital medical equipment. A portion of the funds will be used to procure modern equipment for ambulances, aiming to strengthen emergency response services at every level of care.
The financial allocation directs the largest share, ZiG 800 million, towards upgrading provincial, district and rural hospitals. An additional ZiG 656 million is reserved for renovations at central and mission hospitals.
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