United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India are supplying Zimbabwe’s hospitals with equipment as the health sector struggles in getting the needed apparatus, the Cabinet has revelled.
The African Government will receive consignments worth by estimate US$400 000 and US$650 000 from UAE and India respectively, according to a report received by the Zimbabwean Cabinet from the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
“This positive development was a result of His Excellency President E.D. Mnangagwa’s re-engagement with the international community, where he extended an appeal for support towards revival of Zimbabwe’s health care delivery system,” the Cabinet says.
“A recent needs assessment of the hospitals had revealed the acute shortage of state of the art medical equipment in critical areas such as Radiology, Intensive Care Units, Theatres, Laboratories, Renal Units, Paediatric Care, Maternity, among others.”
The Cabinet says the UAE’s consignment of donated equipment is earmarked for the Harare hospital.
The donated equipments include five (5) dialysis machines; six (6) vital signs monitors; eight (8) respiratory aid devices; twelve (12) neonatal intensive care unit monitors and twelve (12) pediatric incubators.
“The equipment received is part of the larger consignment yet to follow from the UAE,” the Zimbabwean Cabinet Twenty-Fourth Meeting Decision Matrix reads.
“Furthermore, UAE has pledged to refurbish Harare Central Hospital.”
Medical equipment received from India also includes 10 Hydraulic Theatre Tables; 10 Electric Theatre Tables; 5 Ventilators for adults; 5 Ventilators for paediatrics; 50 Monitors for adults; 30 Monitors for paediatrics; 36 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) incubators and 5 Endoscopy units.
Other apparatuses from India also include 5 Colonoscopy units; 10 Respiratory Aid Devices Neonatal Intermittent Positive; Pressure Ventilator (NIPPV); 20 Electro Cardiogram (ECG); 4 X-ray portable; and 10 Anesthetic machines.
“Another consignment to the tune of US$300 000 shall be arriving in the country shortly,” the Cabinet reveals. “Government is paying for the consignments coming from India.”
“Medicines and surgical supplies from both India and the United Arab Emirates are also expected in the country in due course.”
Zimbabwe’s public hospitals have, in March, witnessed doctors going on an industrial action over equipment shortages.
The country’s health sector has also been criticised for depending more on donor aid rather than on government funding.