Source: UBH paediatric unit reopens after 17 years – NewsDay Zimbabwe
BY PATRICIA SIBANDA
UNITED Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) has now refurbished its paediatric unit, which reopens after 17 years and increasing the number of beds from 15 to 60.
This was revealed by UBH acting chief executive (CEO) Harrison Rambanapasi last week.
Rambanapasi told Southern Eye that after the improvements the paediatric unit will now be able to take in patients from the southern region.
The paediatric ward at UBH had been closed for the past 17 years, and its reopening came after the health institution received equipment worth more than US$150 000 from the Rotary Club International.
“I have the pleasure of informing you that with immediate effect, the United Bulawayo Hospitals has increased its capacity for paediatric patients from 15 to 60,” Rambanapasi said.
“You will remember that in September 2021, UBH started admitting paediatric patients in our Eaton Ward, but the capacity was limited to 15 patients only.
“Following completion of renovations of our Richard Morris Paediatric Unit and the fine tuning of our paediatric operations, we are now with immediate effect increasing our capacity to 60
patients.”Rambanapasi said the exciting development makes UBH ready to play its full role in child healthcare in its catchment area.
Former UBH acting CEO Narcicious Dzvanga said the paediatric ward had been closed for the past 17 years because of shortages of specialists.
Dzvanga said this resulted in all paediatric cases being referred to Mpilo Central Hospital, which had to attend to all children from the southern region.
“The UBH paediatric ward has been closed for the past 17 years and Mpilo Hospital was the hospital that was receiving all referrals from the region,” he said.
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