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Mnangagwa secures deal to reconstruct Parirenyatwa hospital
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa has secured a landmark deal with Belarus that will see the overhaul of Zimbabwe's health sector, beginning with the reconstruction and capacitation of the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. The development marks a significant stride in Zimbabwe's efforts to modernise its crumbling public healthcare infrastructure.
President Mnangagwa and his Belarusian counterpart Aleksander Lukashenko presided over the signing ceremony in Harare on Tuesday morning. The two leaders witnessed the conclusion of eight bilateral agreements, including letters of intent focused on health sector development. Among them was a key commitment to reconstruct Parirenyatwa Hospitals and strengthen long-term partnerships in healthcare between the two countries.
The agreement signals a comprehensive approach to health sector transformation, with expectations that the reconstruction project will modernise the Parirenyatwa facility through the introduction of advanced medical technologies, infrastructure rehabilitation, and the improvement of clinical services. The collaboration will also create opportunities for training and skills transfer, enabling Zimbabwean health professionals to benefit from Belarusian expertise.
Speaking after the signing, President Mnangagwa described the occasion as a turning point for Zimbabwe's health system. He emphasised that revitalising public hospitals is central to delivering quality healthcare to citizens and reaffirmed his administration's commitment to improving service delivery through strategic international partnerships.
In addition to the healthcare-focused letters of intent, the two governments signed a range of other cooperation agreements. These included a visa exemption arrangement for holders of diplomatic and service passports, a roadmap for strategic cooperation from 2026 to 2030, and memoranda of understanding on disaster management, tourism, information and press collaboration, small to medium enterprise development, and waste management.
President Lukashenko expressed Belarus' willingness to deepen its support for Zimbabwe's development goals, highlighting the mutual benefits of closer economic and diplomatic ties. He said the agreements reflect growing trust between the two nations and a shared vision for sustainable development.
The health sector deal comes at a critical time for Zimbabwe, where hospitals have been plagued by chronic shortages of medical supplies, outdated equipment, and dilapidated infrastructure. Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, once a premier institution, has in recent years become a symbol of the broader decline in public healthcare. The new partnership is expected to breathe life into the facility and serve as a model for similar projects across the country.
Analysts say the Belarusian deal could be a game-changer for Zimbabwe's healthcare system if implemented effectively, though they caution that transparency and accountability will be essential in managing such international projects.
President Mnangagwa and his Belarusian counterpart Aleksander Lukashenko presided over the signing ceremony in Harare on Tuesday morning. The two leaders witnessed the conclusion of eight bilateral agreements, including letters of intent focused on health sector development. Among them was a key commitment to reconstruct Parirenyatwa Hospitals and strengthen long-term partnerships in healthcare between the two countries.
The agreement signals a comprehensive approach to health sector transformation, with expectations that the reconstruction project will modernise the Parirenyatwa facility through the introduction of advanced medical technologies, infrastructure rehabilitation, and the improvement of clinical services. The collaboration will also create opportunities for training and skills transfer, enabling Zimbabwean health professionals to benefit from Belarusian expertise.
Speaking after the signing, President Mnangagwa described the occasion as a turning point for Zimbabwe's health system. He emphasised that revitalising public hospitals is central to delivering quality healthcare to citizens and reaffirmed his administration's commitment to improving service delivery through strategic international partnerships.
President Lukashenko expressed Belarus' willingness to deepen its support for Zimbabwe's development goals, highlighting the mutual benefits of closer economic and diplomatic ties. He said the agreements reflect growing trust between the two nations and a shared vision for sustainable development.
The health sector deal comes at a critical time for Zimbabwe, where hospitals have been plagued by chronic shortages of medical supplies, outdated equipment, and dilapidated infrastructure. Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, once a premier institution, has in recent years become a symbol of the broader decline in public healthcare. The new partnership is expected to breathe life into the facility and serve as a model for similar projects across the country.
Analysts say the Belarusian deal could be a game-changer for Zimbabwe's healthcare system if implemented effectively, though they caution that transparency and accountability will be essential in managing such international projects.
Source - the herald
