Zimbos Raise Questions After Zimbabwe Strikes Deal with Belarus to Revamp Parirenyatwa Hospital
Zimbabweans raise eyebrows and express skepticism after the government signed a deal with Belarus to revamp Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare.
Many citizens are questioning why the country needed foreign assistance for the upgrade, and whether the agreement truly serves national interests.
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Zimbabwe, Belarus Sign MoUs on Healthcare and More
According to The Herald, Zimbabwe and Belarus signed eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across various sectors.
The highlight of the agreements was a deal to revamp the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe’s largest public hospital.
The MoUs were witnessed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, who is currently on a state visit to Zimbabwe.
Focus on Upgrading Parirenyatwa Hospital
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, said the partnership will focus on upgrading both infrastructure and healthcare equipment.
“We signed two agreements on that. The first agreement has to do with the physical infrastructure… We have targeted Parirenyatwa because this is our major referral hospital,” Ncube explained.
He added that the upgrade will include improvements to outpatient services, ambulatory services, maternity and paediatric wards.
“We are so impressed with the quality of health facilities here in Belarus and we want to match those standards,” said Ncube, noting Belarus’ willingness to assist in achieving those standards.
Zimbabweans Erupt with Reactions
Despite the official optimism, many Zimbabweans have reacted with suspicion.
Social media users have flooded platforms with questions about the terms of the agreement and the choice of Belarus as a partner.
Check out some of the reactions:
@BukamuT
So Zimbabwe cant fix anything on their own without selling a piece of the country to these people?
@rainer787:
You are pretty much broke. You owe people money so the MoUs probably mean we are handing over something for this help. Because there’s no accountability we don’t know how we are getting shafted!!
@dark1_passanger:
Until the government provides satisfactory answers about why Belarus was chosen over local options, and demonstrates that this deal serves national rather than personal interests, Zimbabweans should view this hospital refurbishment agreement with extreme skepticism.The pattern of Belarus-Zimbabwe deals suggests this is less about healthcare and more about politically-connected profiteering – another case where the people lose while elites prosper.
@Munhuwenyama;
Why should it take cooperation with Belarus to take care of those items???
@The_Tonga_Queen:
How do you deal with “medical cartels” which mushroomed out of the healthcare neglect. Thats a potential risk which may undo the good work proposed which lm in full support of.
@Amtinha90:
Are you suggesting that locally we do not have the expertise nor do we have the capability to procure the required equipment for installation tisina ku involvee dzimwe nyika? Madununu
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The post Zimbos Raise Questions After Zimbabwe Strikes Deal with Belarus to Revamp Parirenyatwa Hospital appeared first on iHarare News.
