GWERU HOSPITAL HAS TWO ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS
By SBT | Harare
Gweru Provincial Hospital is operating with just two orthopaedic specialists, highlighting the shortage of specialist medical personnel at the Midlands Province’s largest referral hospital.
The staffing situation was disclosed in the National Assembly by Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora, who said a third specialist was expected to complete an attachment in December 2026.
Orthopaedic surgeons specialise in treating conditions and injuries affecting the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints and ligaments. “The hospital currently has two (2) orthopaedic specialists, and a third one will be completing attachment in December 2026,” Mombeshora said.
The minister attributed the limited number of specialists partly to inadequate theatre space, saying the government was considering plans to construct an expanded theatre block. “A theatre block is on the cards to expand theatre space. This will increase the operating space and in turn trigger the recruitment of more orthopaedic specialists, thus it will significantly reduce the waiting period before surgery,” he said.
The shortage has contributed to delays in accessing orthopaedic treatment, leaving some patients facing prolonged waits for surgery. Patients who cannot afford to wait may have to seek treatment from private healthcare providers, where costs can be beyond the reach of many families. Gweru Provincial Hospital serves as an important referral centre for trauma cases, including injuries sustained in road traffic accidents along major highways and accidents involving artisanal miners.
The limited theatre capacity therefore raises concerns about the hospital’s ability to respond to the demand for surgical services, particularly when dealing with serious injuries requiring urgent intervention.
Mombeshora also told Parliament that the government was working towards centralised procurement of medical laboratory supplies, including reagents and consumables, to address shortages affecting hospitals. He said some public health institutions were struggling to replenish laboratory stocks because most reagents and equipment are imported and require foreign currency, which individual hospitals often find difficult to access. “The ministry recognises that a fully functional laboratory is central to timely diagnosis and quality patient care at Gweru Provincial Hospital and at all our referral facilities,” he said.
He warned that interruptions in reagent supplies and equipment breakdowns delay test results, sometimes forcing patients to seek laboratory services elsewhere at their own expense.
According to the minister, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has completed a national assessment of laboratory commodity requirements across all levels of healthcare, including the needs of Gweru Provincial Hospital. He said individual hospitals often place small orders, resulting in higher prices and making them less attractive to suppliers.
Centralised procurement is expected to consolidate demand, improve purchasing power and make the supply of laboratory reagents and equipment more reliable and affordable. “Centralised procurement will therefore give Gweru Provincial Hospital and other institutions a more reliable and affordable supply of reagents and equipment, enabling the laboratory to operate at full capacity and conduct all required tests locally and on time,” Mombeshora said.
The proposed measures are intended to improve access to surgical services and strengthen diagnostic capacity at Gweru Provincial Hospital. However, their impact will depend on the timely expansion of theatre facilities, recruitment of specialists and consistent availability of laboratory supplies.
Gweru Provincial Hospital orthopaedic surgeons
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