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Sibongile Maruta Herald Reporter
Local platinum mining giant, Zimplats, yesterday presented a progress report of the refurbishment of Kadoma General Hospital with a total investment worth 2,5million, to the Minister of Health and Childcare Dr David Parirenyatwa. The hospital, which was built in 1932, had turned into an eyesore with most of its infrastructure collapsing.

The Refurbishment project, which began end of January, was meant to improve health care delivery in the area.
Speaking at the media briefing on progress made at the hospital, in Harare, Dr Parirenyatwa was impressed with the work done at the hospital, through the use of local labour and local initiatives.

“This is very exciting, it’s a thing that we have been itching for. I would like to thank you very much for taking up this initiative. What it means is that of our six central hospitals, seven provincial hospitals, 23 general hospitals Kadoma has been picked. Clearly it takes a heart to say on what we should do with this institution,” said Parirenyatwa.
He said the thrust of the new Government is to follow universal health coverage.

“The new thrust of the new Government that we should be able to follow what is called universal health coverage which is really primary health care. You have decentralised services to the community, those service include infrastructure, and if it is an infrastructure that is conducive you find doctors and nurses wanting to associate themselves with Kadoma,” he said.

Zimplats chief executive officer Mr Alexander Mhembere said “The Hospital is now looking new. We believe that Kadoma General Hospital is a facility that will provide much needed services to the community of Kadoma. We took cognisant of the fact that it is a facility that is along the highway, so it does cater for the travelling public between Harare and Bulawayo in case of emergencies.

“The project fits very well into our DNA of improving community health facility, educational facility, sporting activities. We are happy to have contributed a little bit in terms of the facility there.”

He said Zimplats has managed to restore supply of water to the institution. Two boreholes with capacity to meet the hospital’s portable water needs have been drilled and equipped. Repairs to ablutions and sewer facilities are complete with some public ablutions that had been non-functional since 2005.

There was resurfacing of surrounding feeder roads, installation of a new perimeter fence, a new laundry with modern washing machines, driers and ironing equipment and a state-of-the-art kitchen.
Mhembere further said Zimplats is proud of the quality of work done at the hospital.

People in Kadoma contributed a lot and most of them were local entrepreneurs and local women clubs also participated.