GOVERNMENT will expedite the reconstruction of Mpilo Central Hospital doctors’ residence in Bulawayo that was gutted by fire and the upgrade will meet contemporary designs that take into account disaster smart technologies.
President Mnangagwa said this yesterday while addressing
doctors and nurses at Mpilo Central Hospital following his tour of the
institution to meet the medical professionals after one of their hostels was
gutted by the inferno last Wednesday.
The fire is suspected to have started from an electrical
distribution box at the residence before spreading through the building,
leaving one occupant injured during escape while US$500 000 property was
destroyed.
“My Government was gravely concerned upon learning of the
inferno that destroyed the residence of health workers here at Mpilo Central
Hospital on the 25th and 26th of May 2021.
“I am informed this is the third fire incident in the
residences since 2018. This is a worrying issue . . . and this has compounded
the existing shortage of accommodation for our health professionals within this
facility.
“Following the doctors’ residence that was gutted by fire,
I have directed the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to ensure
that the reconstructed residence is quickly completed. “Furthermore, the
interior room layout must meet modern designs which take into account disaster
smart technologies and reflect stature of occupants,” he said.
Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga who is also the
Minister of Health and Child Care, Ministers of Defence and War Veterans
Affairs Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting
Services Monica Mutsvangwa, Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli
Ncube as well as Local Government and Public Works July Moyo, among others and
several Government officials accompanied the President.
The Government has already set aside $288 million to
facilitate repairs of the doctors’ hostel.
Further to the reconstruction of the gutted doctor’s
residence, President Mnangagwa has also directed the construction of additional
hostels at the hospital to accommodate student nurses from the nursing school.
“Over and above the reconstruction of the destroyed
facility, I have also instructed additional hostels be constructed to house
students from the nursing school. As we expand and modernise this institution,
Government will continue to work with all progressive stakeholders to preserve
this facility,” he said.
Under the National Development Strategy 1, President
Mnangagwa said the Government was also prioritising the modernisation of the
health sector by accelerating reforms within the sector.
“We are determined to improve the infrastructure within our
hospitals and conditions of service for health workers,” he said.
At the event, the Government through the Ministry of Health
and Child Care donated 30 tonnes of rice to the health professionals and
patients at Mpilo Hospital.
Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi through his retail business also donated groceries and personal protective equipment and sanitisers, among other goodies while the Affirmative Action Group (AAG) donated 39 laptops and plasma television sets to the affected health workers.
The President said the Government remains grateful to
stakeholders that include business, religious groups, civil society
organisations, Bulawayo community and individuals from within and outside the
country for the gesture that they have shown.
“Today, I am pleased to receive a donation from the members
of the Affirmative Action Group, which is here. I commend the group for
complementing my Government’s efforts to bring about relief to the health
workers affected by the disaster.
“This spirit of togetherness in the face of adversity and
challenges is in keeping with our culture as Zimbabweans and as Africans. “This
must be deepened and nurtured going in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President underscored the need for the
youths to maximise on the broad economic opportunities across all sectors of
the economy as the country progresses towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
Under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, the country envisages
to attain an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
Already, the country has started progressing towards Vision
2030 through the implementation of National Development Strategy 1.
He said the youthful entrepreneurs should be proactive and
participate in all economic sectors while inculcating values such as honesty,
ethics and hard work.
“These values are fundamental ingredients to building
sustainable development and inter-generational prosperity.
“Meanwhile, I commend our health professionals for their commitment, selfless dedication to duty and service to the people of our great country. Together in love and with the spirit of purpose, we will continue to witness progressive improvements across all sectors of our economy,” he said. Chronicle
0 comments:
Post a Comment