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In an effort to ease transport problems for its staff members, government handed over two brand new 65-seater buses to Mpilo Hospital.
The development is set to benefit more than 2 200 healthcare workers amid indications that the Ministry of Health and Child Care is also expected to release several ambulances to beef up the hospital fleet and enhance service delivery.
The biggest referral hospital in the southern region last got buses in 2008 and was relying on a single old bus that operates at a maximum speed of 40km per hour.
Confirming the development, Mpilo chief medical officer Dr Narcisius Dzvanga said a transport committee would soon be established to come up with schedules that will ensure all workers benefit and dedicate more time to serving the public.
He said before the delivery of the two buses, Mpilo workers used to rely on the Public Service Commission bus whose schedules would force workers to knock off earlier than programmed.
Besides transporting workers to and from work, the buses will also help workers do community visits from time to time, said Dr Dzvanga.
“We have received two 65-seater buses from the Ministry of Health and Child Care for use by the hospital. For example, the buses will be transporting staff from the station to their pick-up points in town,” he said.
He added, “It’s a welcome and historical event as all hospitals last got buses from the Dr Gideon Gono era. Those buses didn’t last long because they were not durable and the transport was a major issue hence the wear and tear was very rapid.”
Dr Dzvanga also revealed that the hospital was waiting for ambulances from the parent ministry as Mpilo is part of the beneficiary list.
Government has plans to acquire at least 200 surface ambulances, which will be distributed according to pressing needs and on an equity basis. This year, 40 ambulances have already been purchased and more are expected to be delivered.
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