Ekusileni Medical Centre set to reopen

EKUSILENI Medical Centre in Bulawayo, which has been idle for more than a decade, is set to reopen amid reports that the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is keen to inject $80 million to revive the project.

However, DBSA has attached conditions to the funds, requiring a government guarantee to secure its loan, which will be released in two tranches, $50 million and $30 million.

DBSA expressed interest in funding the debt portion, subject to equity participation by strategic investors, including an operator for the facility.

The bank is already involved in the rehabilitation of the Plumtree-Mutare Highway in which it has committed $206 million.

The hospital's executive director Daud Dube told Southern Eye, that all necessary preparatory ground work had been completed. "This is the closest we have been in re-opening the hospital," he said.

Local promoters of the project are in talks with South African medical services operators and Medi-Clinic has been identified as a potential operator for the medical facility.

Insiders said Zanu-PF is keen to have the facility reopened to form part of its campaign drive to woe votes in the region.

Zanu-PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo, a trustee of the hospital, confirmed to Southern Eye yesterday that "there is some movement".

"Something is happening, there is some movement, but speak with Dr Dube, he has the details on that," he said.