Parirenyatwa Hospital Expands Services With New High Dependency Unit For Respiratory Care
The Second Republic continues its significant investment in healthcare, as Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals inaugurates a new high dependency unit aimed at attending to patients with acute respiratory illnesses. This initiative aims to alleviate the strain on the hospital’s existing intensive care and high dependency units.
The newly established unit, situated in a renovated ward initially designated for critically ill patients during the Covid-19 pandemic, currently accommodates eight beds, with plans for expansion in the future.
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Dr. Felix Manyeruke, a pulmonologist and head of the respiratory unit at Parirenyatwa Hospital, highlighted that the ward would provide pulmonary and critical care services to medical patients. The unit primarily focuses on respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, respiratory distress, asthma, silicosis, lung diseases, and post-TB lung complications.
Dr. Manyeruke emphasized that the medical HDU operates independently from existing units, catering exclusively to medical patients. The collaboration with the Hunan Province People’s Hospital in China has facilitated the acquisition of equipment and expertise for new medical procedures, with a recent donation of medical equipment and consumables worth US$500,000 from the Chinese Government.
Moreover, the partnership has enabled the procurement of three bronchoscopy machines and an automatic bronchoscopy cleaner. Chinese doctors will also provide training through simulation labs, enhancing local medical staff’s skills in performing various procedures like intubations.
Parirenyatwa’s expansion aims to meet the growing demand for specialist healthcare services, attracting patients from across the country. Dr. Manyeruke anticipates an influx of patients benefiting from the specialized high care unit, reflecting the hospital’s commitment to providing quality healthcare services to all Zimbabweans.