Major refurbishment underway at Parirenyatwa hospital

The refurbishment of Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals has commenced, marking the most extensive rehabilitation of Zimbabwe's largest referral health centre since it opened nearly 70 years ago as Andrew Fleming Hospital.

The project is being implemented in three phases, covering student accommodation, maternity facilities, and the 1 400-bed main hospital. The first phase, focused on Adlam House—the nurses' residence—and surrounding infrastructure, is 95 percent complete. Previously, the residence could only accommodate 40 of the 353 student nurses, but renovations have significantly expanded capacity and included the installation of eight new boreholes, a 30 000-litre water tank, a 120-kilowatt solar system, and even a swimming pool for recreation.

Work on the second phase, targeting the Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital, is about 25 percent complete. Renovations include the removal of old floors and ceilings, plumbing repairs, and upgrades to patient reception areas, nurseries, and infection control systems.

The third and most extensive phase will focus on the main hospital block. Engineers and artisans are conducting assessments to determine priority areas and design a phased approach that will allow the hospital to remain operational during the renovations.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora told The Sunday Mail that the refurbishment programme was progressing well. "The first phase involved the refurbishment of Adlam House and the surrounding infrastructure. That one is almost 95 percent complete," he said. "The second phase is underway, and we are removing old floors and ceilings and repairing plumbing. The main hospital assessments are at an advanced stage, but the actual structural work has not yet begun."

The modernisation programme is expected to serve as a blueprint for other public health institutions and is part of a wider national effort to rehabilitate critical health infrastructure to improve service delivery. Earlier this year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa conducted an unannounced visit to Parirenyatwa, expressing concern over its dilapidated state and instructing authorities to expedite the refurbishment. He reaffirmed the Government's commitment to prioritising public healthcare when handing over 10 state-of-the-art ambulances to all provinces last week.

Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association president Dr Johannes Marisa praised the refurbishment, highlighting its potential to improve patient confidence, healthcare services, and staff retention, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality rates.

The Government has also signed landmark cooperation agreements with Belarus to support the reconstruction of central hospitals, the procurement of state-of-the-art medical equipment, and the establishment of local health technology manufacturing partnerships, complementing domestic refurbishment efforts.