By Mvelo Mthiyane Zondo
MEMBERS of the community and some Government officials have expressed concern over the delay
in completing the refurbishment of Manama Hospital.
The roof for hospital maternity ward and part of the administration block was blown off by strong
winds in 2021 and the delay has adversely affected hospital operations as patients are now
squashed in the few remaining wards.
However, Government and other stakeholders donated various materials, including roofing
materials, cement and labour among others.
However, last week Gwanda Representative Member of Parliament, Sipho Mokone took the
Minister of Health and Child Care to task by informing the House when the refurbishment of
Manama Hospital will be completed.
“With all due respect to the Vice President Honourable Dr. Constantine Chiwenga who is also the
Minister of Health and Child Care, I would like to bring this to the House that renovations at
Manama Hospital have been scheduled in phases where Phase 1 was focusing on the disaster
affected areas.
“The scheduled works were targeting areas to do with electrical, building, carpentry, painting and
plumbing. Progress to date is as follows: electricals – 90% of the work has been done, plumbing –
90% of the work has been done and carpentry – 80% of the work has been completed. We hope to
finish the outstanding works by December 2022.
“However, the delays that we are experiencing are due to lack of funding. We are doing our best and
are in communication with Treasury that the works at this hospital be completed because of its
importance,” said MP Mokone during the question and answer parliamentary session.
She asked the Minister of Health and Child Care why it was not prioritising the maternity ward.
“Why are you not prioritising the issue of maternity wards at Manama, because that is another
critical area that was affected when the winds swept away the hospital roof?” asked MP Mokone.
In response the Minister said the intervention by the MP was “a very good suggestion”. “We are
going to rearrange our priorities and the Hon. Member will be informed,” said the Minister of Health
and Child Care, Hon Chiwenga.
Government chipped in with $28 million to finance the refurbishment of the hospital mortuary and
maternity ward, while individuals, stakeholders, civic society, local and diaspora communities
donated various materials, which were needed towards refurbishing the health care centre.
The hospital is one of the biggest referral health centres in Matabeleland South Province.
