Parirenyatwa receives heart surgery equipment boost

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals has received specialised open-heart surgery equipment valued at US$80 575 from the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe (NOIC), providing a major boost to the country's efforts to expand access to advanced cardiac treatment.

The donation is expected to strengthen the hospital's surgical capabilities, reduce waiting times for patients requiring heart operations and support the development of specialist medical services within Zimbabwe.

In addition to the equipment, NOIC has committed a further US$77 000 towards the treatment of 12 patients, bringing the company's latest support package to US$157 575.

The additional funding will cover essential surgical consumables required for the procedures, helping to reduce the financial burden associated with specialised heart treatment.

The donated equipment includes sternal saws, sternal retractors and rib retractors, which are essential instruments used during open-heart operations.

These instruments enable surgeons to access the chest cavity safely and maintain sufficient operating space while performing delicate procedures on the heart.

Their availability is expected to improve surgical efficiency and strengthen the hospital's ability to provide specialised treatment to patients who might otherwise face prolonged waiting periods.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, NOIC Commercial Director Christine Chikwaiti said the donation formed part of the company's longstanding partnership with Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

The partnership, established in 2017, has already assisted more than 200 patients requiring specialised cardiac care.

"I am pleased to hand over this US$80 575 donation of open-heart surgery equipment to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals," Chikwaiti said.

"In addition, we have pledged US$77 000 to support the local treatment of 12 patients through the provision of consumables."

She explained that the company was broadening its assistance beyond surgical procedures to include post-operative care, medication and other clinical requirements necessary for patient recovery.

Chikwaiti said NOIC had also revised its approach to supporting heart patients, shifting from facilitating operations outside Zimbabwe to strengthening local medical institutions.

Previously, the company assisted patients in accessing open-heart surgery in India, where specialised treatment was available.

However, the organisation has now prioritised supporting Zimbabwean hospitals and medical specialists to perform these procedures locally.

"As a local company, we have decided to support local institutions and expertise to help make Zimbabwe a centre of excellence in cardiac surgery," Chikwaiti said.

The shift is expected to contribute towards developing sustainable cardiac treatment capacity while reducing reliance on overseas medical facilities.

Performing more operations locally could also help patients avoid some of the additional costs and logistical challenges associated with travelling abroad for specialised treatment.

Cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon Dr Simukai Machawira welcomed the donation, describing it as an important contribution towards improving the hospital's ability to conduct open-heart operations.

He said the financial assistance would enable the institution to acquire essential equipment and supplies needed to strengthen its cardiac surgery programme.

"The financial support extended by NOIC has enabled the hospital to procure specialised surgical equipment and other essential requirements for open-heart surgery," Machawira said.

He emphasised that the donation would benefit both patients and medical professionals by providing the resources needed to perform complex procedures more effectively.

"Behind every piece of equipment procured is an opportunity to improve patient care, support our medical teams and contribute towards saving lives," he added.

The donation comes as Zimbabwe continues working to improve access to specialised healthcare services, particularly for patients requiring complex surgical interventions.

Open-heart surgery requires highly trained medical personnel, sophisticated equipment and reliable access to surgical supplies, making sustained investment essential for expanding treatment capacity.

The partnership between NOIC and Parirenyatwa demonstrates how corporate support can complement public healthcare resources and help strengthen specialist medical services.

With the latest equipment and financial commitment, Parirenyatwa is expected to be better positioned to treat patients locally and gradually reduce the backlog of people awaiting cardiac procedures.

The initiative also supports broader efforts to build Zimbabwe's capacity to provide advanced medical treatment within its own healthcare institutions.