HARARE,– In Zimbabwe, a China-aided hospital stands as a testament to the growing ties between the two countries. The Mahusekwa Hospital, also known as the China-Zimbabwe Friendship Hospital, was built with Chinese support to deliver quality healthcare services to Mahusekwa, a township in Mashonaland East Province. The first phase of this state-of-the-art project was completed and handed over to the Zimbabwean government in 2012, with the second phase opening in 2019.
The hospital features departments such as dental, pediatrics, radiology, physiotherapy, maternity, a theater, and a mortuary, among others. “I think this hospital has improved the relations between China and Zimbabwe. We have seen more support coming from the Chinese government through their embassy,” Delight Madoro, medical officer for Marondera district, told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Since opening, the hospital has had a significant impact on healthcare delivery, not just in Mahusekwa but also in the broader Marondera rural district, which serves a population of around 136,000. Even people from as far as Harare, about 100 kilometers away, come to receive treatment, Madoro said. On average, the hospital sees about 400 patients a week, with around 175 admissions, mostly for maternity services.
It attracts patients from beyond the catchment area due to the quality of services, infrastructure, and well-equipped emergency facilities, Madoro added. With six doctors, the hospital can meet most community ne.