Paidamoyo Chipunza Senior Health Reporter
Joint venture partnerships are the only solution in addressing challenges resulting from dwindling financial support in the health sector, Chitungwiza Central Hospital chief executive officer Dr Obadiah Moyo has said.

Speaking at the graduation of 31 clinical officers who completed their two-year training at the institution, Dr Moyo said Government alone could not address current challenges that range from inadequate supply of medicines, equipment and training of essential staff.

He said having realised these challenges, Chitungwiza Central Hospital partnered with several private institutions including Absolute Return for Kids (ARK) in training clinical officers.

Clinical officers are trained nurses who can diagnose and treat diseases just like doctors.

“Engaging in joint venture partnerships reduces the burden of patients seeking services elsewhere. For example, if the doctor orders a test which is not available at the hospital the patient is taken to that place.

“This is cumbersome to the patient. Now critical services are available under one roof,” said Dr Moyo.

He said in training, the hospital took on board ARK which supported the clinical officers’ training programme.

In support of the programme, ARK built a classroom block, a dormitory, donated a bus, and provided computers and library books for the clinical officers.

ARK Trustee Mr Kevin Gundle said his organisation’s aim is to ensure that no woman dies while giving birth and that no child loses life before it begins.

Mr Gundle said in line with their mission statement, they were working with different institutions in training nurses and doctors.

“It is not what we are doing here today that is important but the impact of what we have done in the coming years,” said Mr Gundle.

Mr Gundle congratulated the clinical officers for undertaking and completing the course saying that they were a step higher compared to nurses back in his home country, England.

“A nurse in England cannot deliver a baby; you can save lives. They cannot do blood transfusions, you can. They cannot do caesarian sections, you can do that. They cannot manage women in distress but you can do it,” said Mr Gundle.

Celebration Church founder Pastor Tom Deuschle, who was guest of honour at the function, congratulated the graduates and commended them for considering health sector for a profession. Pastor Deuschle urged the graduates to remain committed to serving the profession in particular but also the country in general, to combat emerging disease burden.

According to the Health Services Board, all the graduates are already serving in different districts of the country.

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