Staff Reporter

Zimbabwe is set to reap the benefits of a major international collaboration, after striking a strategic agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which promises both a revolution in healthcare infrastructure.

The breakthrough comes following high-level talks between Special Presidential Advisor on Investments,Dr. Paul Tungwarara and the UAE Minister of State, Shakhboot Nahyan. Central to the discussions was a plan to transform Zimbabwe’s health sector by building world-class hospitals and introducing cutting-edge medical technology with the support of the UAE’sinvestment and expertise.

Speaking to the media following the meeting recently,Dr. Tungwarara highlighted that this partnership reflects our drive to deliver high-quality health services using modern infrastructure, while also opening doors for our youth to grow and thrive.

“The health component of the deal includes the construction of new state-of-the-art facilities and the digitalisation of hospital systems following on from the UAE-Estonia e-health project piloted at Sally MugabeCentral Hospital, formally known as Harare Central Hospital, to digitalise health records with more hospitals set to follow. This builds on previous cooperation, such as the UAE’s delivery of emergency medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020,” he said.

Underscoring the Government’s seriousness about health reform, President Emmerson Mnangagwa madeunannounced visits last week to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Sally Mugabe Central Hospital. The visits, which caught both staff and patients by surprise, were widely viewed as a strong demonstration of his personal commitment to improving healthcare delivery.

“The President’s visit shows that he is not only listening, but actively assessing the challenges on the ground. This level of leadership gives us hope,” said a senior hospital official.

These efforts align with the Second Republic’s focus on service delivery, innovation, and partnerships. The health-UAE partnership, coupled with visible leadership from the Head of State, signals a new chapter in Zimbabwe’s quest for a modern, efficient, and equitable healthcare system.

“This is a turning point, we are building not just hospitals, but confidence in a better, healthier future for all Zimbabweans,” concluded Dr. Tungwarara.