THE recent commissioning of a 52-room diagnostic laboratory at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) has transformed the health institution into a fully-equipped one-stop diagnostic centre.
The development underscores government’s commitment to upgrading major referral hospitals to fully-equipped one-stop diagnostic centres, enhancing access to quality healthcare services for citizens.
The new facility is designed to enhance the hospital’s diagnostic capacity, particularly for infectious diseases and now houses critical departments such as haematology and biochemistry.
The expansion also means UBH can independently conduct complex medical tests and diagnoses without relying on external laboratories.
Speaking to journalists yesterday, UBH chief medical officer William Busumani said the development was a milestone that significantly improved the hospital’s operational efficiency and service delivery.
“This is a big laboratory and it can diagnose infectious diseases like Ebola. It has increased our power to diagnose as an institution. We are now a one-stop centre; we no longer outsource services and this has brought a lot of convenience to our patients,” he said.
In addition to boosting diagnostic capabilities, the government has also invested in renewable energy infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted service at the hospital.
“The second republic also equipped our institution with a solar plant. This plant has helped to ensure that even when there is an electrical fault in a hospital, we are not disturbed,” Busumani said.
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The transformation at UBH is part of a broader national strategy aimed at modernising Zimbabwe’s healthcare system and ensuring universal health coverage.
Under the programme, major referral hospitals are being equipped to conduct all tests and diagnoses for infectious and non-communicable diseases.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Jenfan Muswere hailed the government’s efforts, adding that Bulawayo was emerging as a key hub for health and industrial development.
“So many success stories have been recorded here in Bulawayo. Some of the stories include the expansion of many institutions. This has contributed towards the country’s industrialisation drive,” he said.
UBH’s upgrade comes at a time when the government is undertaking similar infrastructural developments across the country.
Notably, refurbishment works are ongoing at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, along with the construction of district hospitals, clinics and health posts aimed at decentralising healthcare services.
Through this multi-pronged approach, the government is building a resilient and inclusive health sector, ensuring that no Zimbabwean is left behind when it comes to accessing modern, reliable and efficient medical care.
