Rusape hospital expands local healthcare access
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Rusape General Hospital in Zimbabwe upgraded its dental unit and laboratory services to improve care for patients in Rusape and Makoni District.
The hospital previously sent patients outside the town for dental work and tests, increasing costs and wait times. Now, Rusape General Hospital can handle more procedures locally, including teeth filings, extractions, and a variety of laboratory tests covering areas like blood counts, chemistry, and microbiology.
Hospital superintendent Dr Stewart Karembo explained the upgrades allow the hospital to offer critical services in one location. While the hospital still refers patients needing highly specialized care to facilities in Harare, the majority of tests and procedures are now completed on site. The laboratory includes five functional departments, but currently does not test for hormones related to breast cancer, as the hospital still needs to hire specialists in that area.
Before the upgrades, patients often relied on private laboratories, which are more expensive, or travelled to the provincial hospital for testing, potentially delaying or abandoning necessary care. The hospital is also working to restock its pharmacy and improve its laundry services.
