MEDS Incorporated has transformed the healthcare landscape in Plumtree after the establishment of Lady Coletta Private Hospital in the border town.
Lady Coletta Private Hospital co-founder Goodnow Machadu told Southern Eye that the facility is the culmination of the organisation's journey, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic when it assisted with screening and diagnostics activities in the region.
“We came with gloves, masks on a mission to help to keep Plumtree safe,” said Machadu, adding that they worked tirelessly to conduct tests and deliver results.
“We realised that Plumtree needed more than just emergency testing. We saw an opportunity to create a sustainable healthcare system that benefited the community in the long term.”
He said they set up another healthcare facility at Dingumuzi Primary School, adding that the facility had since grown into a full-service hospital.
“Today, Lady Coletta Private Hospital offers a range of services, including primary healthcare, sonography, X-ray, dental care, optometry and reliable pharmaceutical services through Meds24. Getting here has been as challenging as climbing Nyangani in flip-flops,” Machadu said.
“We faced numerous challenges, including rejection from banks and scepticism about the viability of private hospitals in border towns. However, we persevered and funded the project ourselves, driven by our belief about the Plumtree area and its people.”
Machadu said the hospital had not only improved healthcare services in the region but also created jobs and livelihoods for locals.
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He said Meds Incorporated planned to expand Lady Coletta Hospital to a multidisciplinary centre, attracting patients from across the border and beyond, and setting up other businesses to create jobs for locals.
“We urge young people to take pride, take part and take the lead in shaping the future of our nation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Albert Nguluvhe has said the opening of Lady Coletta Hospital would help to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy, as people would enjoy world-class service in critical areas such as health.
Nguluvhe said the hospital would not only provide access to specialised care but also serve as a catalyst for local development, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.
“This hospital is a beacon of hope and a hub for medical excellence. It will work hand-in-hand with government facilities, sharing knowledge, reducing overcrowding and ensuring that every patient in the region receives timely, quality care,” he said.
