By Judith Kajuma
The Austrian embassy to Zimbabwe through its Direct Aid Program recently donated equipment worth $65 000 to Harare Central Hospital.
In an interview with Diplomat Magazine at the handover ceremony, Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mrs Bronte Moules, said the donation will going a long way in alleviating challenges faced at the institution.
““The grant here is $65 000 worth of equipment for ventilation infusion and injection equipment. Our hope is that this donation will go a long way in capacitating both the children’s hospital and neo-natal unit to provide the critical care needed at the institution,” said Ambassador Moules.
Ambassador Moules added that the Embassy also refurbished the neo-natal intensive care unit and the laboratory. Between 2014 and 2015 Australia refurbished mothers’ rooms, bathroom and cooking facilities in the children’s ward.
Speaking at the handover ceremony Minister of Health and Childcare Honourable David Parirenyatwa said the equipment will go a long way towards improving patient care.
“We have a long standing relation with the Australian people and the Australian government as witnessed here. One of the areas that need support is the Paediatric Division and this equipment will go a long way towards improving patient care in terms of children particularly in ventilation and infusion. When we had bronchitis we had problems in terms of some of the equipment that we needed. This donation will strengthen the capacity of our staff to be able to cope with the huge catchment area it serves,” Minister Parirenyatwa said.
Minister Parirenyatwa said since Harare Hospital is the largest hospital in the country it needs constant capacity building adding that decentralization is key.
