$65m hospital for Bulawayo

The government has approved the construction of a US$65 million state of the art medical village in Bulawayo, a development that is expected to  improve access to quality health care services in the country.

The US$65 million state of the art medical village, to be built at Nketa 9 by Mbuya Mlambo Memorial Trust (MMMT), will house the Gogo Rachel Memorial Hospital which is named after the late Vice President Joseph Msika's sister will high density suburb in Bulawayo.

It will also house a shopping mall and recreational facilities, among other things.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony MMMT Chief Consultant, Mr Jameson Msika said the hospital seeks to become a leading referral centre which offers the best medical services and facilities.

The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenytatwa said the project comes at a time the government is working towards the re-opening of the Ekusileni Medical Centre which will be turned into a specialist institution.

Guest of honour at the ground breaking ceremony, Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko commended the MMMT for reviving the project that has been on the cards for a long time, saying it will go a long way in improving people's access to quality health care services.  

Construction of the medical village will commence at the end of October and a statue of the late Vice President Msika will be erected at the institution, while the hospital's streets will be named after prominent figures who have contributed towards the development of the city of Bulawayo.